Maimed Thai elephant getting death threats, keeper says

January 11, 2001

By DENIS D. GRAY, Associated Press

BANGKOK, Thailand (January 7, 2001 10:35 a.m. EST

http://www.nandotimes.com) - Motola, the Thai elephant who drew sympathy and

donations from around the world after being maimed by a land mine, has

become a target of death threats, her keeper said Sunday.

" I get telephone calls from people saying they want Motola dead, " said

Soraida Salwala, founder of the world's first elephant hospital, where

Motola's mangled left foot was amputated in August 1999.

Soraida, who said she has received threats on her own life, believes they

come from elephant traders as well as other Thai animal welfare

organizations jealous of the donations and publicity brought by Motola's

plight.

Deadly king cobras were released near the elephant, people have driven by

the keeper's house at night and shouted threats, and the leader of the

veterinary team that cares for Motola has been threatened, Soraida said.

" I don't fear for my life, but I am afraid for Motola and the staff, " the

keeper said.

Motola was injured while working in a logging camp near the border with

Myanmar, a region peppered with mines after a half-century of insurgency.

Veterinarians hope to fit Motola's injured leg with a prosthetic foot, but

for now, the sweet-natured, 39-year-old elephant hobbles around on three

feet.

Her tragedy brought attention to the plight of Thailand's working elephants,

which number about 2,000, down from some 10,000 in the 1970s.

Thais donated more than $125,000 for her treatment and to support the

hospital. Foreign donations also flowed in, and a U.S. laboratory offered to

fashion an artificial foot.

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