Staff cut killer elephant's tusks to get rid of bad luck
Workers at an elephant shelter have cut back the tusks of an elephant which killed a Thai woman in Ayutthaya – in the hope of wiping away bad luck from the animal.
Ayutthaya Elephant Palace and Royal Kraal manager Ittiphan Khaolamai said about one-fifth of the animal’s 3.2ft-long ivory was taken off, since it is believed the spirit of a person killed by an elephant would remain in the tusks.
Police Lt Col Pimuk Nakkhamphan said the 27-year-old elephant trampled the woman when she visited the shelter on Saturday. The woman’s husband was also hurt when he tried to help.
Lt Col Pimuk said the accident happened after operating hours at the tourist attraction when none of the elephant handlers were around.
