A timber elephant at work moving the cut log - Taungoo - Bago

A timber elephant shows its ability to negotiate the landscape while pulling the cut log down the hill. Elephants have long been priceless workers in Myanmar timber industry. In the past several technologies, both home-made and imported, such as electric cable transporter had been tried to move the cut timber to the place where river boats or trucks were. Finally it was discovered that elephants were more efficient, economical and practical. So they are still the best timber movers in the jungle.

With the newly booming tourism industry elephants have been viewed as education and knowledge source for tourists as well as income for the locals. It is not known whether Myanmar tourism business could manage the sustainable, safe, and community-base operation using these once timber elephants.

Jan 2006

More photos from travels and trips in Laos, Thailand and Myanmar