US Ambassador to Thailand Kristie Kenney yesterday visited a Thai Elephant Conservation Center in Kanchanaburi Province where she gave her comments, saying it was a great sign that Prime Minister Yinkluck Shinawatra had pledged, during CITES conference, to take action against ivory trade and do whatever she could to stop it. The ambassador also urged the Thai government to issue strict rules and regulations on wildlife conservation which, she believed, would help protect the animals, especially the endangered species.
The Kanchanaburi Thai Elephant Conservation Center is located on a 130-rai plot of land, 32 kilometers away from the provincial town center. It was established in 2008. The center acts as a shelter for injured and old elephants. At present, the shelter is taking care of 10 elephants.