YANGON: A rare white elephant, historically considered an omen of political change, has been captured in the west of military-ruled Myanmar, state media reported Tuesday.

The female pachyderm was captured by officials on Saturday in the coastal town of Maungtaw in Rakhine state, the New Light of Myanmar newspaper said.

She is aged about 38 and seven feet four inches (more than two metres) tall, the English-language paper said, although it did not mention where she would be kept.

Kings and leaders in Myanmar, a predominantly Buddhist country, have traditionally treasured white elephants, whose rare appearances in the country are believed to herald political change.

The Southeast Asian country, which has been military-ruled since 1962, is due to hold its first elections for two decades later this year, although a date has not yet been announced.

BDST:1241 HRS, June 29, 2010

SIS