A rare white elephant has been captured after it was discovered roaming wild in a jungle in Burma . The seven-year-old female elephant was captured by forestry officials six weeks after it was spotted at a reserve in the western Ayeyarwaddy region . The elephants have been revered for centuries in Asian nations including Burma , Thailand and Laos , and their appearance is said to bring good fortune , as well as herald political change . Scroll down for video . A rare white elephant , similar to this animal , has been captured after it was discovered roaming wild in a jungle in Burma . 'We had to be careful , ' said Burma 's forestry department spokesman Tun Tun Oo , who said the elephant had first been sighted in the Pathein township . 'It 's wild . We did n't want the elephant or the forestry department officials to get hurt . ' Often pinkish in color , with fair eyelashes and toenails , the animals are actually albinos . They were normally kept and pampered by monarchs as a symbol of royal power and prosperity - and many people still believe they bring good luck to the country . The elephants have been revered for centuries in Asian nations including Burma , Thailand and Laos , and their appearance is said to bring good fortune , as well as herald political change . Previous white elephants transported from Myanmar 's jungles have been heralded in lavish ceremonies in which military leaders sprinkle them with scented water laced with gold , silver and precious gems . And in the 16th century Thailand , then known as Siam , and Burma even went to war over the disputed ownership of four white elephants . Burma currently has eight white elephants in captivity , most from the Ayeyarwaddy region . Five are in the zoo in the capital Naypyitaw , and three in Yangon . According to the World Wildlife Fund , there are between 25,600 and 32,750 Asian elephants remaining in the wild . Only males carry tusks and thus at risk from poachers who want them for their ivory . The capture of wild elephants for domestic use has become a threat to wild populations . India , Vietnam , and Burma have banned the capture of elephants in order to conserve wild herds , but in Burma elephants are still caught for the timber industry or the illegal wildlife trade , according to charity the WWF . Burma currently has eight white elephants in captivity , most from the Ayeyarwaddy region . Five , including the one pictured here , are in the zoo in the capital Naypyitaw , and three in Yangon .
six weeks female elephant found in western Ayeyarwaddy region . Animals are albinos and appear pink in colour with fair eyelashes . Burma currently has eight white elephants in captivity .