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Thailand announces annual elephant day BANGKOK, Thailand (June 27, 1998 07:45 a.m. EDT http://www.nandotimes.com) -- Every March 13 will be National Elephant Day in Thailand, Bangkok newspapers reported Saturday. The government designated the day to heighten public awareness about the plight of the gentle giant, which has been Thailand's national animal since 1963. Loss of habitat and exploitation by humans has caused the number of elephants in Thailand to decline to 6,000 from an estimated 300,000 at the turn of the century. The animals are endangered. Once indispensable for logging and transport, domesticated elephants are used today mainly in the tourist trade, as well as by illegal loggers. Wild elephants are confined mostly to small herds in a half-dozen national parks. Copyright © 1998 Nando.net Copyright © 1998 The Associated Press p.s. march 13 = janet's birthday june 27 = janet's sister's birthday your syber-sis in silliness janet aka giannetta aka gigi aka gg [log in to unmask]