SRI LANKA ~ Working Elephant ~

...Nice view of a working elephant with his handlers... elephants hold symbolic, cultural and economic importance in Sri Lanka... this human-elephant relationship dates back to a period of over 5,000 years... these majestic beasts have been used for transportation of people on their back, carrying, hauling and lifting logs and other heavy objects like stones for construction purposes...  currently in Sri Lanka elephants are mostly used for ceremonial occasions... but elephants are at the centre of a dilemma in Sri Lanka between centuries-old tradition and a growing awareness of animal rights.... today the elephant has become part of Sri Lanka’s ecotourism... Thanks a lot Ravindra!! ❀◕ ‿ ◕❀

Ⓒ Lasantha Lakmal
The Sri Lankan subspecies is the largest and also the darkest of the Asian elephants, with patches of depigmentation areas with no skin color on its ears, face, trunk and belly. They are about 3.4 m tall, and can weigh up to 5,400 kg.
This subspecies is the National animal of Sri Lanka and is native to the island country. It once lived over the entire island. They now live in the dry zones in the north, east, and southeast. These zones are mainly dry deciduous woodland, scrubland, grassland, and marshes. There is a small group in the rainforest. 

Today, the Sri Lankan elephant is considered to be an animal that is in immediate danger of becoming extinct due to the fact that Sri Lankan elephant populations have been declining at a critical rate. Sri Lankan elephants are thought to be suffering primarily due to habitat loss in the form of deforestation and hunting for their ivory tusks by human poachers.

Stamps:

60th Anniversary of Sri Lanka Navy
(Issued 09-12-2010)

2X Traditional Sinhalese Exorcism ritual
(Issued 1-05-2018)