Copyright 2001 Associated Press
November 18, 2001
By VIJAY JOSHI, Associated Press Writer

SURIN, Thailand (AP) - Lip, the bulky forward, tried the three-pointer but got nothing but air, missing the basket completely, and the crowd roared with laughter. A defender then dunked the ball, curled delicately in his trunk.

After the friendly match, the players - five elephants on each team - lumbered off the field for a well-earned snack.

Thousands of human spectators watched the jumbo athletes - guided by human trainers perched atop - play basketball, soccer and other games in a display of dexterity, intelligence and obedience at the Surin Elephant Roundup on Saturday and Sunday.

The annual two-day jamboree of the giants in this northeastern town is both a popular tourist event and a homage to the glory days of the elephants who have influenced Thai life for centuries.

In days past, elephants were indispensable in wars and transport, and were used to clear forests and haul timber. But the loss of forest cover, poaching and modernization have reduced their numbers from some 100,000 domesticated elephants at the turn of the century to only about 16,000 now.

Eumporn Jiragalwisul, the tourism authority chief for the district, said some 260 elephants took part in this year's roundup - from 4-ton male tuskers to protective cows and babies.

``It's like a homecoming for the elephant family,'' said Eumporn. ``And for the Thais, it reminds them of the old style of living.''

Surin has 491 elephants but most owners ferry them around the country year round in search of work. They come back to Surin for the roundup when the government pays them to participate.

On a rain-soaked slushy field in a sports stadium, the three-hour show started with a flag raising ceremony. Then a group of elephants showed their tricks - walking on three legs and even two legs. Lip, a born showoff, even stood on his massive forehead, raising all four legs in the air.

But overconfidence was his undoing in the basketball game as he flung the ball with his trunk, trying but missing the crucial three-pointer. Apparently, he had made the shot repeatedly during practice sessions.

But other pachyderms had no trouble dunking the ball. One reared up on its hind legs to place the ball through the basket. The elephants on each team took alternate turns trying for the basket.

A lot of good-natured jostling between the animals went on in the soccer match. The 11 elephants on each team, with their drivers on top, pursued an oversized ball, kicking it toward the goals.

Losing patience at the forwards' inability to score, a defender picked up the ball in her trunk and lumbered toward the goal post. Alas, the ball slipped out at the last moment. With the score 0-0, a penalty shootout was held and the Gapoh team defeated Ban Glan 1-0.

Spectators enjoyed not only a great show but also a lesson in elephant physiology to boot.

The announcer informed the crowd that because elephants don't have a stomach in which to store food, they eat constantly, ``the food going through their mouth, into the intestine and out the rear end.''

As if on cue, Bhun Chue, a 45-year-old giant tusker, answered the call of nature even while he pulled 80 soldier volunteers hanging on to a rope in a tug-of-war. His victory complete in 5 seconds, pooper scoopers were deployed to clear the field.

Tension was in the air when five elephants stepped over 10 volunteers, including American tourist Jim Tomonto, lying face down in a row, three feet apart.

``I am studying Buddhism so I was sure the animals won't hurt me,'' joked Tomonto, 34, a native of Denver, who said he felt a jumbo foot grazing against his thigh. Buddhists believe all living things live in harmony with one another.

The Thai government, which recently reinstated the elephant as the national animal, hopes that festivals such as this will raise awareness about conserving and caring for the giant mammal.

Thai media often report that some owners frequently beat their animals or feed them amphetamines to make them more active. Many are abandoned when they become ill.

Elephants are expensive to keep, and their keepers are increasingly turning to tourism to make ends meet by providing elephant rides in historical sites or in the hills. Error: Unable to read footer file.