If you have come across this blog from the beginning, maybe you are one of those who know our deep appreciation for God's creation, our fondness for nature and wildlife particularly animals. And when it comes to animals, it has always been special with the biggest creature that presently walk the earth. Like us, it has made Sri Lanka also it's home. Well, it is no other less than the Elephas Maximus or the Asian Elephant.
The Asian Elephant can be found in Southern Asia, parts of India, China, Thailand, Laos, Burma, and Indonesia. They inhabit open grasslands, marches from sea-level to mountainous regions. They eat fruit, grass, leaves, twigs, bamboo, bushes and water. They love bathe on waterholes, rivers and lakes. In the elephant orphanage or zoo, they are fed hay, vegetables, fruit, grain and plant products. They walk freely in the wild or are domesticated by the farmer as a beast of burden. We have observed them in the wild, national parks, farms, resorts and even in the orphanage. I have always wondered why this majestic animal never found a home in mine, the Philippines.
It grieved our hearts to hear that not only the innocent children are the victims on conflict areas of Northeast Sri Lanka. There were thousands of families who were displaced. And this sad situation has always reached the local and international news. BUT this time, a news report talks about a different victim. These gargantuan creatures are bearing the brunt of crossfire between Sri Lankan Troops and LTTE rebels. And due to their size, numbers were easily wounded (riddled with many bullets) and some died where battle is fierce.
Today's news article from BBC NEWS says it all.
And here is a thread on the discussion among Christians about an elephant who is an artist - check it out =). Make sure you watch the video! |
Thu 5 Jun 2008 - Untitled Comment
Blessings,
Dawn