YANGON – Myanmar‘s ruling military said it had captured a rare white elephant, a sure sign the impoverished country was on a path to peace and prosperity. Official newspapers and television all featured stories on the find with pictures of a six-foot – 1.8 metre – high, eight-year-old bull elephant reportedly captured in the northeastern jungles. „The animal is significant and different from others as its skin is whitish-pink in colour in the rain and it changes to moderate russet in cold sunny weather,“ state newspapers reported. „According to the records compiled by learned persons, it is said the white elephant brings peace, stability and prosperity to the nation, that it prevents all hazards and dangers and that the country enjoys annual bumper food harvests.“ A government spokesman told Reuters the elephant was being brought to the capital Yangon. In legend, the possession of these sacred beasts was seen as very important and ancient kings fought over them. Rulers with white elephants were seen as successful. The military has ruled Myanmar, which is also known as Burma, since taking power in 1962. The country has been isolated by most Western nations due to its suppression of the pro-democracy opposition and allegations of widespread human rights abuses. Experts say Myanmar‘s economy is starved of foreign capital and is in tatters.