Thailand Celebrates National Elephant Day

This version of Thailand Celebrates National Elephant Day N52441 - Breaking News | NBC News Clone was adapted by NBC News Clone to help readers digest key facts more efficiently.

Thailand honored the elephant on Thursday with fruit and Buddhist ceremonies across the country to pay homage to their national animal.

Mahouts pray while sitting on top of elephants during Thailand's National Elephant Day in the ancient Thai capital Ayutthaya on March 13, 2014. Thais honored the elephant on Thursday with special fruit and Buddhist ceremonies across the country to pay homage to their national animal. CHAIWAT SUBPRASOM / Reuters

March 13, 2014, 9:24 PM EDT

Mahouts pray while sitting on top of elephants during Thailand's National Elephant Day in the ancient Thai capital Ayutthaya on March 13. Thais honored the elephant on Thursday with special fruit and Buddhist ceremonies across the country to pay homage to their national animal.

Image: National Elephant Day celebration in Thailand — An elephant grabs bananas with its trunk as it is fed by a Thai student during an all-you-can-eat elephant buffet held to mark the National Elephant Day at the ancient historical city of Ayutthaya on March 13. The day is also meant to raise public awareness for elephant conservation and habitat protection. There are less than 3,000 wild elephants left in Thailand.RUNGROJ YONGRIT / EPA

Image: Elephants enjoy a buffet'of fruit and vegetables during Thailand's National Elephant Day in the ancient Thai capital Ayutthaya — Elephants enjoy a buffet of fruit and vegetables during Thailand's National Elephant Day on March 13.CHAIWAT SUBPRASOM / Reuters

Related Articles