A male elephant takes a bath in a lake with his mahout. In contrast to its thriving African cousin, the Asian elephant is imperiled - even in those countries where it is revered to the point of worship. As the human population spreads the elephants' natural habitat is destroyed. They are forced onto farmland where they cause damage to crops and are subsequently attacked by villagers. Elephants are also captured and put to work in the logging and tourist industries. In Thailand alone, the wild population has declined from 100,000 at the turn of last century to fewer than 1,500 today.

A three-year-old elephant is led away by his mahout. In contrast to its thriving African cousin, the Asian elephant is imperiled - even in those countries where it is revered to the point of worship. As the human population spreads the elephants' natural habitat is destroyed. They are forced onto farmland where they cause damage to crops and are subsequently attacked by villagers. Elephants are also captured and put to work in the logging and tourist industries. In Thailand alone, the wild population has declined from 100,000 at the turn of last century to fewer than 1,500 today.

Wild elephants at sunset. In contrast to its thriving African cousin, the Asian elephant is imperiled - even in those countries where it is revered to the point of worship. As the human population spreads the elephants' natural habitat is destroyed. They are forced onto farmland where they cause damage to crops and are subsequently attacked by villagers. Elephants are also captured and put to work in the logging and tourist industries. In Thailand alone, the wild population has declined from 100,000 at the turn of last century to fewer than 1,500 today.

Karen men force a three-year-old elephant into a training apparatus in which they will 'break' the animal for the next several days. These methods have been used by the Karen for hundreds of years. In contrast to its thriving African cousin, the Asian elephant is imperiled - even in those countries where it is revered to the point of worship. As the human population spreads the elephants' natural habitat is destroyed. They are forced onto farmland where they cause damage to crops and are subsequently attacked by villagers. Elephants are also captured and put to work in the logging and tourist industries. In Thailand alone, the wild population has declined from 100,000 at the turn of last century to fewer than 1,500 today.

A three-year-old elephant as he is being 'broken' or trained by Karen men. In contrast to its thriving African cousin, the Asian elephant is imperiled - even in those countries where it is revered to the point of worship. As the human population spreads the elephants' natural habitat is destroyed. They are forced onto farmland where they cause damage to crops and are subsequently attacked by villagers. Elephants are also captured and put to work in the logging and tourist industries. In Thailand alone, the wild population has declined from 100,000 at the turn of last century to fewer than 1,500 today.

An elephant outside the gates of Angkor Wat temple. In contrast to its thriving African cousin, the Asian elephant is imperiled - even in those countries where it is revered to the point of worship. As the human population spreads the elephants' natural habitat is destroyed. They are forced onto farmland where they cause damage to crops and are subsequently attacked by villagers. Elephants are also captured and put to work in the logging and tourist industries. In Thailand alone, the wild population has declined from 100,000 at the turn of last century to fewer than 1,500 today.

Mahouts take their elephants across a river to feed. In contrast to its thriving African cousin, the Asian elephant is imperiled - even in those countries where it is revered to the point of worship. As the human population spreads the elephants' natural habitat is destroyed. They are forced onto farmland where they cause damage to crops and are subsequently attacked by villagers. Elephants are also captured and put to work in the logging and tourist industries. In Thailand alone, the wild population has declined from 100,000 at the turn of last century to fewer than 1,500 today.

A father carries his daughter under a male elephant three times, praying for her good fortune. In contrast to its thriving African cousin, the Asian elephant is imperiled - even in those countries where it is revered to the point of worship. As the human population spreads the elephants' natural habitat is destroyed. They are forced onto farmland where they cause damage to crops and are subsequently attacked by villagers. Elephants are also captured and put to work in the logging and tourist industries. In Thailand alone, the wild population has declined from 100,000 at the turn of last century to fewer than 1,500 today.

An elephant drags a felled tree. In contrast to its thriving African cousin, the Asian elephant is imperiled - even in those countries where it is revered to the point of worship. As the human population spreads the elephants' natural habitat is destroyed. They are forced onto farmland where they cause damage to crops and are subsequently attacked by villagers. Elephants are also captured and put to work in the logging and tourist industries. In Thailand alone, the wild population has declined from 100,000 at the turn of last century to fewer than 1,500 today.

An elephant is taken to work on the back of a truck. In contrast to its thriving African cousin, the Asian elephant is imperiled - even in those countries where it is revered to the point of worship. As the human population spreads the elephants' natural habitat is destroyed. They are forced onto farmland where they cause damage to crops and are subsequently attacked by villagers. Elephants are also captured and put to work in the logging and tourist industries. In Thailand alone, the wild population has declined from 100,000 at the turn of last century to fewer than 1,500 today.

A large male elephant returns from his morning bath. In contrast to its thriving African cousin, the Asian elephant is imperiled - even in those countries where it is revered to the point of worship. As the human population spreads the elephants' natural habitat is destroyed. They are forced onto farmland where they cause damage to crops and are subsequently attacked by villagers. Elephants are also captured and put to work in the logging and tourist industries. In Thailand alone, the wild population has declined from 100,000 at the turn of last century to fewer than 1,500 today.

An elephant peers through the trees in the forest. In contrast to its thriving African cousin, the Asian elephant is imperiled - even in those countries where it is revered to the point of worship. As the human population spreads the elephants' natural habitat is destroyed. They are forced onto farmland where they cause damage to crops and are subsequently attacked by villagers. Elephants are also captured and put to work in the logging and tourist industries. In Thailand alone, the wild population has declined from 100,000 at the turn of last century to fewer than 1,500 today.

Arts and Entertainment,3rd prize