Surin: The unrelenting Covid-19 crisis has not only put the province’s people out of work, but also its iconic animals.
More than 300 elephants and their mahouts in this northeastern province have been on the receiving end of the strict public health measures designed to minimise the impact of the virus. But they have also made the mahouts poorer and the elephants they raised hungry.
The rising Covid-19 infections in the latest wave are the sole culprit for the loss of income for the around 300 elephants and their mahouts in a village and nearby areas in Tha Tum district.
With no tourists to watch the elephant shows and buy souvenirs, the local economy is strapped for cash.
One mahout, who asked not to be named, said the lack of visitors has sent ripple effects on related economic activities.
Growers of bananas for feeding the elephants are suffering, as are the…
