Elephants that have been deserted by tourists were treated to a fruit buffet in Songkhla, southern Thailand last Sunday (March 13) morning.

Footage shows the jumbo walking toward the big chunk of food including bananas, sugar canes, pineapples and watermelons placed on the litter.

The event, marking Thailand's national Elephant Day, was only attended by the zoo staff because the zoo manager Chalermwut Kasetsomboon wanted to avoid the spreading of coronavirus.

Visitor numbers have already plunged because of the spread of COVID-19 limiting tourism and travel.

He said: "Normally, we open the zoo visitors to participate in the event but this year we need to follow the government order of avoiding crowded events."

Thailand holds a national Elephant Day each year on March 13 to raise people awareness toward the elephant which has always been the country's national animal.

Elephants that have been deserted by tourists were treated to a fruit buffet in Songkhla, southern Thailand last Sunday (March 13) morning.

Footage shows the jumbo walks toward the big chunk of food including bananas, sugar canes, pineapples and watermelons placed on the litter.

The event, marking Thailand's national Elephant Day, was only attended by the zoo staff because the zoo manager Chalermwut Kasetsomboon wanted to avoid the spreading of coronavirus.

Visitor numbers have already plunged because of the spread of Covid-19 limiting tourism and travel.

He said: "Normally, we open the zoo visitors to participate in the event but this year we need to follow the government order of avoiding crowded events."

Thailand holds a national Elephant Day each year on March 13 to raise people awareness toward the elephant which has always been the country's national animal.