The Thai government has announced that the elephant named Muthuraja, which was taken to Thailand while it was in the custody of the Dehiwala National Zoo, will not be returned to Sri Lanka.
The elephant was taken from Sri Lanka to Thailand in 2023. Thai authorities said that the injured elephant would be treated and returned to the country.
However, National Zoological Park Director General and veterinarian Chandana Rajapaksa says that the elephant has now fully recovered.
However, the Thai government has announced that the king has decided not to return Muthuraja to Sri Lanka.
Muthuraja received treatment at the Dehiwala Zoo for about four months before being taken to Thailand, and veterinarian Chandana Rajapaksa says that the injuries on the elephant’s body were healing during that time.
This elephant, which was in the care of the Aluthgama Kandeh Viharaya for about 12 years, was reportedly severely tortured before being transferred to the Dehiwala Zoo for treatment.