We got picked up in a van early in the morning and were heading north in search of elephants. During the journey they told us that elephants were traditionally work animals for logging and clearing land for development. But after logging was abolished in the 80s, most elephants were unneeded, and the population declined rapidly. Nowadays, elephants are often nuisances wandering into private land for food and mainly seen as big sources of income in tourist areas. Said to make around $25/day, it's big money for a mahout versus more physical labour.
Elephants' keen senses and strength often leave them endearing haunting treatment. Many elephants at the Elephant Nature Park suffer from anxiety and bear scars that tell the stories of their pasts. Traditionally, elephants spent days in a holding pen called a crusher undergoing unthinkable treatment to make them subservient and learn commands. Elephants are also often underfed, which is easy to imagine, as Asian elephants eats 330-600 pounds of fresh food and drink 150 liters of water a day!
Elephants' keen senses and strength often leave them endearing haunting treatment. Many elephants at the Elephant Nature Park suffer from anxiety and bear scars that tell the stories of their pasts. Traditionally, elephants spent days in a holding pen called a crusher undergoing unthinkable treatment to make them subservient and learn commands. Elephants are also often underfed, which is easy to imagine, as Asian elephants eats 330-600 pounds of fresh food and drink 150 liters of water a day!
We kept heading closer to mountains and finally to bumpy dirt roads until we saw the beautiful site: luscious green fields, misty mountain tops, and elephants roaming free.
Established in 1995, Elephant Nature Park is home to over thirty rescued elephants. Ranging in age from infants to old-timers, these previously abused and neglected creatures are able to live out the rest of their lives in peace and dignity on the Park's grounds.
Our first task was to feed the elephants, each has their own basket of food according to the diet which has been set for them.
Time was spent getting to know some of the elephants, the problems they had when rescued and bought to the camp, and how with months and sometimes years of care and love from the staff and volunteer workers their lives had been transformed. If possible they were trained to regain the knowledge of living in the wild and being independent of mans help, so they could be reintroduced into protected forest area. Many of the 36 elephants there had suffered such terrible injuries, broken backs and hips, blinded by sling shot from their owners when they would not obey. They would remain at the park.
Lunch was buffet style with long tables laden with every type of Thai vegetarian food imaginable, and this was followed by fruit.
The next highlight was bathing the elephants in the river which flowed through the park. Fortunately we were told to bring a spare set of clothes as some of the visitors did get wet as we threw buckets of water over the elephants.
After we had bathed them some of the elephants continued to bathe themselves and frolic in the water.
Lots more could be said about this park and the woman who started it back in 1995, but it is now time to wander the lanes and find a little restaurant tucked away, with overhanging trees, candlelight and soft music.
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