The Global New Light of Myanmar newspaper recently announced the birth of a rare white elephant in western Myanmar. The report unveils what many people in the Buddhist-majority country consider an extremely auspicious creature.
The baby white elephant was born last month in western Rakhine state and currently weighs 180 pounds (80 kilograms) and stands at the height of 2.5 feet tall (70 centimeters). The Myanmar state media released a video of the rare white elephant and the announcement of its birth on TV.
Rare Baby White Elephant Born in Myanmar
According to Phys.org, the footage released by the state media of Myanmar showed the baby white elephant following his mother to a river as it was washed by its keepers and later fed by his mother.
The mother elephant is 33 years old named Zar Nan Hia and is currently staying at the Myanma Timber Enterprise in Rakhine state.
Global New Light also reported that the baby has seven of the eight characteristics of a rare white elephant with its pearl-colored eyes, plantain branch-shaped back, distinctive tail, white hair, some plot signs on its skin, five claws on its four limbs, and big ears.
His photos were shared on social media sites following his birth. As of now, the elephant has not been named yet.
White elephants are considered auspicious creatures in the culture of Southeast Asia because many of its ancient rulers acquired these elephants to show their wealth and boost their fortunes. Today, there are only six white elephants in captivity in the military-built capital Naypyidaw in Myanmar and most of them live in Rakhine state and the southern Ayeyarwady region.
However, many people are worried now that the elephants might be affected by the reeling military coup in the country and its bloody crackdown on dissent. Even more, some are expressing their skepticism regarding the true color of the baby white elephants, with some commenting that it looks brown rather than white.
Baby elephant being fed at David Sheldrick Wildlife Trust
White Elephants as Prized Symbols
In 2015, USA Today reported that Myanmar had found a female white elephant in the jungles of the western Ayeyarwaddy region, estimated to be at least seven years old. It was spotted weeks before in reserve in Pathein township. Since then, conservationists have been careful in capturing it to save it.
The albino elephants have been revered in Myanmar, Thailand, Laos, and other Southeast Asian nations. These animals were typically kept pampered by monarchs as a symbol of royal power and prosperity. Many people in such culture still believe that they bring good luck.
Some reports suggest that these white elephants were seen as a reflection of ancient rulers and their leadership. Today, some tourist sites give out brochures boasting that white elephants appear to kings and governments who ruled well during their time. They believed it was a good omen for the nation when white elephants appeared.
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