This article captured my attention in two ways. First, we have known for a while that Thailand has some issues with how they treat their elephant population. Second, Napa is quite close to my house, and I've been there a few times! To see that locals are taking action to help elephants excites me!
"Have you ever dreamed of climbing on top of a giant, beautifully gray elephant to take a ride through some sort of jungle-like terrain? How about buying a painting made by one of these animals or paying money to feed them a bit of fruit on the streets of a busy Asian city?
Now, what if I said that for you to do any of these things, the elephant has been tortured and abused to a level that is hard to comprehend. Would you think twice?
Welcome to one of Thailand’s greatest problems.
The elephant is Thailand’s national symbol, but the disconnect between this iconic image and the actual treatment of the animal is vast. Recently, I spent a week volunteering at the Elephant Nature Park in Chiang Mai, Thailand’s second largest city. I left gallons of sweat and a fraction of a newly built fence behind at the park, but I took away far more than the little I gave. By the end of my week, I had proudly filled my imaginary “goodie bag” with a newfound passion and undeniable love for pachyderms, as well as an honest and heartbreaking understanding of how they are commonly treated in Thailand.
When we arrived at the Elephant Nature Park, just a short drive from Chiang Mai, I thought for sure I had entered Jurassic Park. But, instead of jagged teeth-baring dinosaurs, I saw a 2,000-acre landscape peppered with the world’s largest land animals, roaming and playing free as can be. These elephants are the lucky ones.
Founded in 1995, the Elephant Nature Park provides sanctuary to 34 elephants rescued from abuse or overwork in various parts of Thailand. The park’s founder, Sangduen “Lek” Chailert, has dedicated and risked her life to save these animals from the horrible situations in which they are often forced to live.
Although her name means “small” in Thai, she is far from it. She is an activist, a humanitarian and a personal hero. She has fought the Thai government to change their laws (which they haven’t), she works tirelessly to bring awareness and to educate people on the plight of the Asian elephant, and she sings lullabies to the resident elephants at night.
What’s not to love about this woman or this amazing place?
The Elephant Nature Park has opened its doors to allow day visitors and volunteers alike to get up close and personal with elephants. Each day, overnight volunteers are awakened by trumpeting, rumbling elephants excited to soak in the sun and enjoy another day of luxury at the sanctuary.
Volunteers meet for an early breakfast and a brief stretch before setting out to work just after 8 a.m. Jobs for the day range from feeding the elephants (my favorite) to cutting and hauling corn in a hot, humid field (my least favorite, but also most rewarding task).
We cleaned and cut fruit and vegetables for the elephants, helped dig mud pits, built fences, cut bamboo and banana trees, bathed the elephants in the river, and of course, mucked stalls of elephant poo.
Although busy with tasks, we always had plenty of time to observe the enormous shadows surrounding us. As if they were quality control officials, the elephants were never too far away and provided hours of images for us to absorb.
In addition to the required elbow grease I spent a lot of time visiting with the park’s newest, and undeniably cutest, addition, baby Navann.
After a two-year gestation period in the belly of his mom, Sri Prae, he was born a healthy, vibrant, 200-plus pound baby several months before we arrived, and he is every bit the epitome of cuteness.
I spent hours parked on a bench outside of his enclosure observing him suckle, awkwardly run around with his mahout (or elephant handler), playfully bathe, flap his ears about, and simply bring an unparalleled level of joy to the world. I was given hugs and sniffs with his itty bitty trunk and was even around to observe his first trip out of the enclosure to play in the mud and hang out with new family.
Life is certainly good at the Elephant Nature Park.
But cuteness and Jurassic Park images aside, volunteers quickly learn about the grim lives of remaining elephant population. A century ago, Thailand was home to around 100,000 elephants, but only 2,000 or so are alive today, making them frighteningly close to extinction.
The majority of these elephants are used either in the tourist or illegal logging industries. What most tourists don’t know is that all domesticated elephants are forced to endure pure torture in order to provide tourists with the kind of entertainment and recreation that have become popular here.
Around the young age of 4, elephants are taken from their families, often illegally, and forced through “phajaan,” a traditional ritual meaning “crush,” where they are caged, starved, and beaten with hooks and sharp tools for weeks. It is only after enduring this torture that the elephants spirits are broken and they are ready to be trained to give rides or to paint pictures that tourists can take home as souvenirs. The images of this abuse are haunting.
Volunteers also learn intimate details about the difficult plights of the resident elephants. Jokia, for example, a 52-year-old female and retiree of the logging trade, was blinded in both eyes with a sling shot from her owner when she refused to work after being overcome with grief at the passing of her baby.
Sri Prae and Malai Tong both have badly damaged feet as a result of stepping on landmines, which are still prevalent throughout many parts of Southeast Asia.
Sweet Mintra was rescued from a life of street begging where she was hit by a car and forced to keep working without recovery time, and lovely Medo who awkwardly and bravely ambles through the park with her poor ankle that never healed right after being forcibly bred.
All elephants have a story, but those that are lucky enough to make it to the Elephant Nature Park get to have a happy ending.
The experience at the park is also an impressive attraction in itself. The Elephant Nature Park provides volunteers with an all-in-one travel experience. Volunteering includes opportunities to:
• interact with park staff and locals alike;
• take part in Thai Culture Night to learn more about Thailand’s culture;
• take part in visiting a nearby school to interact with young students and a few Thai skills (cooking, jewelry making, etc);
• enjoy eating the absolutely delicious and authentic Thai food provided by the park.
I’ll never forget our first evening at the park when a handful of elders, including a local shaman, came to conduct a ceremony for our volunteer group to provide us with blessings and protection. If time is tight and you have only one week to spend in Thailand, you can get so much, and give so much at the Elephant Nature Park.
Travel is fun, and while I will probably forget some of the palaces and museums I have visited in the world, I will never forget what if feels like to pet the tough skin of an elephant or how insignificant I felt while sitting underneath one. I will never forget their many noises, their gentle nature, their strength.
As we drove away from the park, I broke down in tears wishing for the courage to do more to help these giants. The abuse of elephants in Asia won’t change overnight, but I know more than ever that we tourists have a voice and we can use it for good."
~The Napa Valley Register
Hannah Euser
May 5, 2013
Go make a difference!
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