Blessings for Australia’s First Baby Elephant

Little Luk Chai is oblivious to the fuss surrounding his birth.

There is nothing quite so adorable as a baby elephant, and little Luk Chai is no exception! The latest addition to Taronga Zoo was given a Thai blessing today during a Buddhist ceremony.

Six week old Luk Chai, a Thai name meaning son, was born on July 4^that Taronga Zoo in Sydney. He is the first baby elephant to be successfully bred in Australia.

Australian officials are hoping that the birth will strengthen ties between Australia and Thailand and will give hope to the conservation of the Asian elephant.

Taronga Zoo director Guy Cooper told the crowds that had gathered to watch: “With the global response to the challenges of conservation we can only have hope for the future of wildlife.� Expressing his agreement was the Thai Consul-General Khun Kiattikhun who watching nearby.

Nine Buddhist monks were invited to conduct the blessing, led by senior monk Pra Ratcha Silaporn from Wat Buddharangsee monastery in Leumeah. The monks prayed over the elephant and gave him blessings for health and success, whilst his mother Thong Dee watched.

Afterwards the elephant was given an ecumenical blessing from the Exodus Foundation.

The zoo is now fervently hoping that their two other pregnant females, due in 2010 and 2011, can repeat the success. 

If you’d like to keep tabs on how little Luk Chai is doing, Taronga Zoo is open from 9am to 5pm Mon-Sun and is located in the Mosman area of Sydney. Alternatively you can keep tabs on him via the zoo’s online elephant diaries here.

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