‘Jumbo’ may be ‘deported’

"Jumbo," the Thai elephant who ran berserk on the streets of Quezon City the other day, may be "deported" to his place of origin for being a "wildlife threat" to populated areas in the country, an official of the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) said yesterday.

Theresa Mondita-Lim, assistant director of the DENR’s Protected Areas and Wildlife Bureau (PAWB), said investigation is now ongoing to determine if organizers of the Elephant World show in Cubao, Quezon City violated government regulations that prohibit the entry of dangerous animals in the country.

"If it will be proven that the elephant is a wildlife threat then we will cancel the entry permit and immediately send back the animal to his place of origin," Lim told The STAR in a telephone interview.

She said Environment Secretary Elisea Gozun has directed PAWB to submit a report within 24 hours on the circumstances that led to the breaking loose and eventual rampage of the 21-year-old Jumbo.

The DENR official said this is the first time that they responded to an alarm involving a rampaging elephant.

"We have responded to calls involving wild monkeys, snakes and crocodiles but this is the first time we responded to a wild elephant alarm," she said.

Lim said since neutralizing an elephant involves a big dose of tranquilizers they have to seek assistance from the Manila Zoo, which has the facilities to sedate elephants.

The PAWB has a quick reaction team composed of handlers of snakes, crocodiles and other wildlife, which will respond to any alarm involving wild animals.

Adequate care, however, is observed in neutralizing any wild animal to ensure that it is not injured or does not cause injuries to its handlers.

A combined team of DENR and Bureau of Animal Industry (BAI) wildlife experts and veterinarians has already begun their probe on the conditions of the elephants at the Araneta Center in Cubao.

Lim said the team will look into the conditions of the other circus elephants, if they were given adequate care and if their cages are fully secured as provided for in their entry permits to the country.

Wildlife investigators will also determine if the handlers of Jumbo violated provisions of the Wildlife Act that prohibits the maltreatment of wild animals, particularly those in the list of endangered species.

The importation of wild and exotic animals into the country is only allowed for zoos and circuses providing that the guidelines are strictly observed.

Once it is proven that the conditions of the entry of animals violated certain regulations, the government has no recourse but to send back the "undesirable creatures" to their port of origin.

Handlers or importers found guilty of maltreating wild animals face a maximum penalty of one year imprisonment and a fine of P100,000.

Elephant World is a two-year show, and sending the elephants abroad was approved by the Thai government.

Jumbo remains under observation. If he is found no longer capable of performing he will be sent home.

But his handlers at the Elephant World said yesterday Jumbo will be reporting back to work after a week’s rest.

Lucas Pasiliao, spokesman for the traveling show, told The STAR that the eight-foot tall elephant is now "doing fine" and "eating well." He said that he should be ready to perform with the other elephants by next week.

"Once his trainers give the go-signal, Jumbo should get back to work. He is currently under observation and resting comfortably. Fortunately, he did not suffer any serious injuries during his long walk the other day," Pasiliao said in an interview.

He added that the elephant went wild and escaped from the circus because he was "in heat," it being the mating season, and the scorching temperature Thursday "did not help either."

Meanwhile, the Thai trainer reported to be critically injured turned out to have suffered only minor injuries after being accidentally hit by Jumbo’s trunk.

Medical expenses of Lun Salangan, 38, will be shouldered by circus management.

In another development, actor Mark Gil said he planned to sue the veterinarian for allegedly spitting on him during an altercation after he touched the elephant, the biggest of 10 in the show.