Songkhla Zoo organises orang-utan wedding to celebrate Valentine's Day
SONGKHLA, Feb 14 - Songkhla Zoo today conducted a wedding of an orang-utan couple which the organisation named "Happy Valentine's Day Orang-Utan Honeymoon" to celebrate the 'Day of Love'.
Male ape Suriya, 12, married Nancy, 20, after being together for three months. Suriya was given to the Songkhla Zoo by Chonburi's Khao Kheow Open Zoo.
The pair's marriage was done in a Thai traditional ceremony, witnessed by locals and tourists alike, with a 'Kan Mark' processing where the groom offers dowry to the bride. The procession was led by three fully decorated elephants.
Local authorities in the province signed as witnesses on the orang-utans' marriage licence. Decorations for the wedding were made for a photoshoot in order that visitors could take part.
Meanwhile, Chiang Mai Night Safari in Chiang Mai organised the wedding for seven pairs of rabbits, with provincial governor as one of the distinguished guests, under the activity of "Lucky in Love at Chiang Mai Night Safari".
Chiang Mai Night Safari executive Dr Sarawut Srisakul said the rabbit marriages were a part of the zoo's wildlife breeding expansion project of rare species, to mark Valentine's Day and to welcome the Year of the Rabbit. The ceremony was done with a mixed style of Lanna, contemporary Thai and Chinese.
The activity was participated in by a large number of local officials, civil servants and other representatives. A dinner will be held for over 50 couples who will be offered a gift on this occasion, and those born on Feb 14 can join the event free of charge.
In nearby Lampang province, a "We love each other, we love elephants" activity was held on this day in Hang Chat district.
Nine couples, both Thais and foreigners, who have been together for over 30 years, were sitting on elephants to announce and act as examples for their long and dedicated love among a crowd of tourists as witnesses.
The activity was aimed at promoting commitment among lovers and local tourism activities, while encouraging the public to preserve Thai elephants, which is the national animal.
Donations to buy food for the elephants were a part of the event for nurturing ill and handicapped animals at the Thai Elephant Conservation Center in Lampang. (MCOT online news)
Credit: MCOT (www.mcot.net)
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