A national animal is a logo utilized by countries to represent a unifying image of the nation to the world. The selection of national animals will likely be made very rigorously (as decided and written within the country’s structure) and is predicated on a number of points related to the country in query, similar to its ecology, tradition, culture, mythology and lots of others.
National animals are unique to their nation, especially within the case of Southeast Asia since the region is so diverse in its people and ecology.
As a result, these animals allow outsiders to understand the country’s natural wealth, culture, and other noteworthy features. Thus, national animals are an ideal source of pride and inspiration for the people of this nation.
But do you realize what the national animals of your region are? These are the national animals of Southeast Asia, representing each country:
THAILAND
National animal: elephant (elephant is the most important species)
The elephant present in Thailand is the Indian elephant, a subspecies of the Asian elephant. At the start of the twentieth century, there have been an estimated 100,000 domesticated or captive elephants in Thailand. As of mid-2007, there have been an estimated 3,456 domesticated elephants and a couple of thousand wild elephants left in Thailand. In 1986 it became an endangered species.
The elephant has been a contributor and icon to Thai society for a lot of centuries. The elephant has had a big impact on Thai culture.
MYANMAR
National animal: Indochinese tiger (Panthera tigris corbetti)
Tigers are actually protected in Burma and deserve this title on account of their unique characteristics. The image of the Tiger can also be used because the national symbol of Burma.
The Hukaung Valley Tiger Reserve in Myanmar is the world’s largest tiger reserve.
PHILIPPINES
National Animal No. 1: The Carabao (buffalo buffalo)
National Animal No. 2: Philippine Eagle (Pithecophaga Jefferyi)
The country’s national bird, the Philippine eagle, has been called by various names, nevertheless it was not until 1995 that it was recognized as a national symbol.
Before 1995, the country’s national bird was the Mayfly, a preferred brown and white bird commonly seen throughout the country.
Under Proclamation No. 615, signed by then-President Fidel V. Ramos, the Philippine eagle became the national bird, “a natural treasure found only within the Philippines,” and will due to this fact turn out to be a source of national pride.
In addition to being endemic to the Philippines, the Philippine eagle is taken into account a flagship species for Philippine wildlife conservation.
The proclamation also states that the characteristics of the Philippine Eagle – whose uniqueness, strength, power and love of freedom – exemplify the Filipino nation.
MALAYSIA
National animal: Malayan tiger (Panthera tigris jacksoni)
SINGAPORE
National animal: lion
The lion got here to represent Singapore because the country’s national symbol. Historian John Drysdale (1984) called the animal “a group entirely in step with the aspirations of Singapore’s recent and energetic government.”
LAOS
National animal: Indian elephant
The elephant has long been considered the national animal in Laos. For years, it has been a logo of prosperity and represents the strength of the nation. In Laos, people show respect for this unique animal through festivals and ceremonies.
The incontrovertible fact that the elephant is the national animal of Laos comes from Buddhism, which is the essential religion here. The elephant is an Indian elephant whose hometown is similar because the Buddhist hometown. From a Buddhist perspective, a colourful elephant represents happiness, peace and wealth, especially a white elephant is the very best symbol of power and royalty.
VIETNAM
National animal: water buffalo (Buffalo buffalo)
Vietnam is an agricultural country, and the image of the water buffalo is at all times considered a family animal by Vietnamese people, especially peasants. The image of the buffalo is closely linked to the agricultural landscape of Vietnam.
INDONESIA
National animal No. 1: Komodo dragon (Varanus komodoensis)
National Animal No. 2: Javan hawk (Nisaetus bartelsi)
National Animal No. 3: Asian Arowana (Scleropages aureus and Scleropages legendrei)
Both species, Scleropages aureus (red-tailed arowana), are native to northern Sumatra, while Scleropages legendrei (very red-tailed arowana) are native to the Kapuas River and nearby lakes in West Kalimantan.
TIMOR READ
National animal: Crocodile
The crocodile’s ability to guard its eggs until they hatch and protect and support young crocodiles makes it considered a national symbol of East Timor.
CAMBODIA
National animal: Kouprey
The kouprey is a species of untamed cattle endemic to Cambodia, where it’s the national mammal. Its name comes from the Khmer language and means forest ox.
The kouprey has probably at all times been rare, and was last seen in 1988. The last published record of the kouprey comes from zoologist Charles Wharton, who led an expedition to capture the kouprey in 1963 and 1964.
Source: Various sources including Wikipedia, GoAsean and www.worldatlas.com
