MEET ''Valentine,'' Phuket's newest and youngest elephant, born on the eve of Valentine's Day and named accordingly by tourists, if not yet officially.
Mother elephant Pimpa gave birth after a 24-month pregnancy. Mother and son are now recovering well at a Rawai elephant camp. Births of elephants are rare on Phuket, where the elephant population is about 170.
Pimpa is 32 years old and was allowed to stop giving rides to tourists three months ago. This is her second offspring.
Owner Prapod Hoisang said he was delighted that Pimpa had given birth with Chinese New Year and Valentine's Day so close together. The elephant may yet be christened Aungpao, after the Chinese New Year tribute paid by employers to workers.
The newborn is attracting tourists to Saiyuang Elephant Camp.
Phuket Elephant Rampage: Swedish Pair InjuredMother elephant Pimpa gave birth after a 24-month pregnancy. Mother and son are now recovering well at a Rawai elephant camp. Births of elephants are rare on Phuket, where the elephant population is about 170.
Pimpa is 32 years old and was allowed to stop giving rides to tourists three months ago. This is her second offspring.
Owner Prapod Hoisang said he was delighted that Pimpa had given birth with Chinese New Year and Valentine's Day so close together. The elephant may yet be christened Aungpao, after the Chinese New Year tribute paid by employers to workers.
The newborn is attracting tourists to Saiyuang Elephant Camp.
UPDATE A Swedish tourist broke both heels as he leapt from a rampaging elephant on Phuket. A second tourist suffered minor injuries. The unhappy animal upended a tree that fell and wrecked a parked car.
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