Ceremonial Elephant killed by rubber pipe

Nguyen Van Hung, head of Hue province’s animal health department, said the 4-ton animal had somehow gulped down two synthetic rubber pipes that then lodged in its esophagus.

After receiving treatment, the elephant vomited up the 30cm-long pipe, but a one-meter-long pipe remained lodged, eventually causing it to die.

Police are investigating the rare case because elephants have sensible eating habits.

The elephant had taken part in two Hue festivals in 2004 and 2006, and was transferred from an owner in Don village in Dak Lak province with rich elephant hunting tradition.

(THANH NIÊN)

By Sun Tzu on 31-01-2007