Elephant sanctuary day 1

After not even being in Chiang Mai for 12 hours, I woke up at the Thana hotel and had a great breakfast before packing to leave on a tour.

I met 3 great ladies and we talked about trip plans and what they have already seen. It turns out I had planned to go to the same park that two of them had been to.

Not all elephant parks are the same. Many let you ride the elephant and are not interested in rescuing. If you choose to go to one, choose one that is responsible. Elephant nature park is amazing. They have parks in more than one country. They also try to change current park practices helping them change to a better place for elephants through partnerships.

We started out the tour in the van watching a video of what to do /not do when we arrive. This was followed with how elephants have been used in the past and is a very sad history. From circus to logging to peddling on the streets and for riding… All elephants start out the same way. Babies are taken and the adults harmed. They are tied up between trees without being able to move and denied food and water. After they are submissive they walk in circles around trees while being tied tightly to only allow one type of movement. They are considered broken when they follow a simple command. They suffer physical and psychological abuse.

The park has about 80 elephants. Only a few were born here… The rest were rescued. The oldest is 90!

We started out feeding the elephants. For the first day we stand on a platform and with the exception of feeding the baby we stay behind a line and let the elephants take food from our hands in their trunk. The snack is bananas, watermelon, and squash.

Afterwards there is a little time to look at the many cats and dogs that are also found here. They are rescues as well. All are neutered which is good. There is a cat area:

There are also dogs who are in very large kennels to run while many must roam free (trouble makers or those with severe emotional scars are keto separated).

Lunch was completely vegetarian. Amazing food.

After lunch we visited all of the elephant families. There are a few where they have a normal structure. Bulls are kept separate. There are many groups of elephants that have serious handicaps. Many are blind from cataracts or being shot in the eye with a slingshot (it is a common way to keep them in line in captivity but often time they miss and hit the eye.) There are a few that stepped on land mines and have serious injuries. Others have broken legs that never healed properly when in captivity. Many have found another elephant they bonded with and are kept together to be sure they get adequate food. Being all together would be difficult to ensure safety and adequate food.

Every group of elephant has two people that they have learned to trust. This people are in charge of them, making sure they get what they need and picking up cues from them. Such large animals can easily do harm unintentionally when spooked.

https://youtu.be/xQKU0FdGRLk

They have quite the set up here. They also rescue water buffalo, cows, and horses… I even saw an alpine goat!

The amount of food they go through is impressive. Must are locally sourced but the demand is too much for just the locals. Some elephants cannot suggest a well or have lost teeth. They get did that is chopped up or peeled.

There are large pens where they stay at night. Not only are they safe but they get fed through the night. Elephants feed constantly and don’t need much sleep. My bungalow is right near the pens and I am writing this post listening to their noises and trumpeting!

The sand mounds are to help older elephants get up and is better for their skin.

There is a pool for the elephants to use as well as many ponds.

https://youtu.be/M9aA8ewySEs

We were able to touch an elephant. Usually we are only to do so when we are feeding.

We were able to see them in a natural a habitat as possible and are guide was invaluable in telling us how they truly live. These were taking a dust and mud bath.

https://youtu.be/tintQz2Dd5A

https://youtu.be/z5x_DSsupuY

Finally, we met the elephant family we will walk with and feed tomorrow. This first one was so traumatized psychologically that she cannot be in the company of others. The park purchased adjacent land for her to live. She walk separately from the others.

Then came the family. Whatever the baby decides the rest follows. That includes walking in the water or the path they take. As much as we would like to walk with the baby tomorrow, we won’t. Families are protective of the young ones. This baby is 8!

It is now the end of the day. After a massage and good dinner, time to wrap this up. The bed has mosquito netting so we can hear the elephants at night!