Jumbo is now home - Neglected elephant touches down in Thai homeland after flight

Elephant Muthu Raja is seen inside a cage before departure from the Dehiwala Zoo in Colombo on July 2, 2023. A Thai elephant gifted to Sri Lanka two decades ago was flown back to its birth country on July 2, 2023 after a diplomatic spat over the animal's alleged mistreatment. Thai authorities had gifted the 29-year-old Muthu Raja also known back in its birthplace as Sak Surin to Sri Lanka in 2001.- AFP

BANGKOK (AFP): A Thai elephant gifted to Sri Lanka two decades ago arrived back in its birth country Sunday, following a diplomatic spat over the animal's alleged mistreatment.

Thai authorities had gifted the 29-year-old Muthu Raja -- also known back in its birthplace as Sak Surin -- to Sri Lanka in 2001.