This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It last changed over 40 days ago and won't be checked again for changes.

You can find the current article at its original source at http://news.bbc.co.uk/go/rss/-/1/hi/world/asia_pacific/10452174.stm

The article has changed 3 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.

Version 0 Version 1
Burma captures 'white' elephant Burma captures 'white' elephant
(40 minutes later)
By Viv Marsh BBC News White elephants often look reddish-brown in the sun White elephants are in fact usually more reddish-brown in colour
A rare "white elephant" - traditionally viewed in south-east Asia as a symbol of good fortune and power - has been captured in Burma, state media reports. A rare "white elephant", a traditional symbol of good fortune and power in south-east Asia, has been captured in Burma, state media reports.
Reports say the elephant was tracked down in Maungdaw in western Burma. Reports say the 2m (6.5ft) female elephant was tracked down in Maungdaw in the west of the country.
It is likely to be brought to the capital, Naypyidaw, for the military ruler, General Than Shwe. White elephants are only nominally white - they often look reddish-brown in the sun, and light pink when wet.
White elephants are only nominally white - they often look reddish-brown in the sun, and light pink when wet. They have white hairs on their body. Analysts say the animal is likely to be brought to the capital, Naypyidaw, for the military ruler, General Than Shwe.
Language barrier With elections due this year under terms the country's opposition considers unacceptable, Burma's military rulers have been hunting for their good omen for some time now, says the BBC's Viv Marsh.
With elections due this year under terms the country's opposition considers unacceptable, Burma's military rulers have been hunting for their good omen for some time now. When locals sighted a white elephant earlier this year in the jungle in Rakhine state, a unit of the Ministry of Forestry was sent to scour the area and find it, the New Light of Myanmar reported.
When a white elephant was sighted earlier this year in the western jungle, they reportedly sent an army unit to scour the area and find it. 'Great blessings'
Their prize is said to be about 40 years old, 2m (6.5ft) tall, with pearl-coloured eyes. Their prize - a female aged about 38, was captured on 26 June, said the news agency.
Gen Than Shwe has never had a white elephant of his own, although Burma's leaders travel in aircraft called White Elephants 1 and 2. The Thailand-based charity Friends of the Asian Elephant Foundation said it would normally object to elephants being held in captivity, but made an exception for white elephants, which are traditionally kept in pampered conditions.
The generals may hope their new trophy - and their own fortunes - are not blighted by linguistic association. "The white elephant is a sign of great blessings and fortune for the land," spokeswoman Soraida Salwala told the Associated Press news agency.
White elephants have historically been owned and revered by Burmese leaders - Gen Than Shwe has never had one of his own, although Burma's leaders travel in aircraft called White Elephants 1 and 2.
In English and some other languages, a white elephant also means a useless structure, and a needlessly expensive burden.In English and some other languages, a white elephant also means a useless structure, and a needlessly expensive burden.
The generals may hope their new trophy - and their own fortunes - are not blighted by linguistic association, says our correspondent.