Thailand Celebrates National Elephant Day

Thailand honored the elephant on Thursday with fruit and Buddhist ceremonies across the country to pay homage to their national animal.

Mahouts pray while sitting on top of elephants during Thailand's National Elephant Day in the ancient Thai capital Ayutthaya on March 13, 2014. Thais honored the elephant on Thursday with special fruit and Buddhist ceremonies across the country to pay homage to their national animal. CHAIWAT SUBPRASOM / Reuters
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Mahouts pray while sitting on top of elephants during Thailand's National Elephant Day in the ancient Thai capital Ayutthaya on March 13. Thais honored the elephant on Thursday with special fruit and Buddhist ceremonies across the country to pay homage to their national animal.

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An elephant grabs bananas with its trunk as it is fed by a Thai student during an all-you-can-eat elephant buffet held to mark the National Elephant Day at the ancient historical city of Ayutthaya on March 13. The day is also meant to raise public awareness for elephant conservation and habitat protection. There are less than 3,000 wild elephants left in Thailand.RUNGROJ YONGRIT / EPA
Elephants enjoy a buffet of fruit and vegetables during Thailand's National Elephant Day on March 13.CHAIWAT SUBPRASOM / Reuters