Thailand: authorities track suspected white elephant

Thai authorities set up cameras in a national park to determine whether an elephant spotted there is an albino, regarded as sacred in the kingdom, news reports said Saturday.

Recent video footage at a salt lick in Kaeng Krachan National Park in Petchaburi province suggested it may be a "white elephant," which according to ancient Thai tradition are the property of the reigning king.

"A conclusion to capture it at this moment would be premature, as this is an important decision the ministry will have to make," Chote Trachoo, permanent secretary of the Natural Resource and Environemntal Ministry, told The Nation newspaper.