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There are an estimated 3,000 to 5,000 elephants
now in Thailand, half of which are thought
to be wild, but the elephant population in
Thailand is believed to be decreasing by 5
- 10% per year.
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Of all the mammals living on this planet,
the elephant is closest to humans in terms
of its life cycle (apart from the 22-month
gestation period for the elephant).
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The life cycle of the elephant begins with
a 22-month gestation period.
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From the time of its birth up until the
age of 4-5 years, the elephant is categorised
as "an infant".
As is the case with human beings, the initial
3-4 years in the life of a baby elephant are
its critical years. A baby elephant
is totally dependent on its mother's milk
for nourishment and survival. Important nutrients
in the cow's milk, particularly calcium ensure
that the growing elephant develops strong
bones. Vital antibodies needed to build up
the calf's immunity and resistance to fight
off diseases are also transferred from the
mother to the baby elephant through the milk.
Calves that are weaned too early and separated
from the mother earlier than 3 years of age
often manifest symptoms of bone disease, and
seldom survive.
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Until approximately 14 years of age, it
is an "adolescent" and from between
14 to 60 years, the elephant becomes a "working
adult" and at approximately the age of
60, the elephant is "retired" from
work. The average life expectancy of an elephant
is 65 years.
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An adult elephant needs a lot of food -
equivalent to about 6 to 8% of its body weight
each day. A full-grown 40-year old male weighs
approximately 4,000 kg (8,800 pounds) and
thus needs 250-300 kg of food every day. A
baby elephant which weights 80 to 100 kg (176-220
pounds) at birth, needs to eat the equivalent
of 8 to 10% of its steadily increasing body
weight.
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Elephants sleep only about 4-5 hours per
night, mostly standing (like horses), with
only an hour or two in deep slumber, lying
on its side and often snoring. If an elephant
sleeps on its side for much longer, it is
a good indication that the animal is sick.
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In spite of being the largest land animal,
the elephant's health is relatively fragile.
Like humans, elephants are susceptible to
all sorts of virus and bacterial infections
(but it takes much larger doses of antibiotics
to cure an elephant than it does with a human
being. This is followed by a corresponding
increase in medical expenses.)
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Although the adult elephant's skin is 2.5cm
thick (1 inch), elephants often suffer from
sunburn, dry skin and various skin diseases.
Giving an elephant an injection requires an
extra long hypodermic needle, which costs
more than the ordinary needed used for horses
and cows.
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An elephant's senses of hearing, smell and
balance are excellent.
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Unless mistreated, an elephant is gentle
and careful around people and is very loyal
to the mahout. |
