THE Elephant Museum has been opened at the Wahnet Elephant Camp located by the roadside of Yeywa Dam between Mandalay and PyinOoLwin to educate the visitors about the evolution, biology, nature and behaviour of elephants, said Daw Thada Shin Thant, warden of the Wahnet Elephant Camp.

The museum features documentary photos of elephants, elephant conservation and protection, and an elephant skeleton. That skeleton belongs to a 38-year-old Han elephant that died 15 years ago. “The museum exhibits information about elephants for the visitors. There are four male elephant species (Han, Te, Haing and Swesone) found in Myanmar. The skeleton of the elephant showcased in the museum is called Zaw Win Oo (Registration No 5899). He died after fighting with a male elephant in the wild.

The elephant body was decomposed and that skeleton was unearthed after six months of burial. The chemicals are used to preserve the skeleton. The visitors are fascinated about the elephants,” she explained.

The photos featuring documentaries of elephants, biological terms of elephant parts, livelihood and elephant care service, history of the elephants and records are shown at the museum. The entrance fee at the elephant camp is K3,000 for a short trip and K5,000 for a long trip.

The monks, nuns and children under three years old are free of charge. The tourists are charged K10,000 per head. The elephant ride costs K10,000 as well.

— Min Htet Aung/EM

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