The Elephant Nature Park is a sanctuary for Asian elephants in northern Thailand. Each elephant at the park has a mahout or elephant caretaker that is responsible for the well-being of their elephant. According to their brochure:
Aww. These two are best friends. The elephant on the right has a foot infection and can't lie down, so her best friend sleeps standing up too by leaning on each other.
Bathing the elephants.
Elephant having a blast floating downstream!
Elephant butts!
We were urgded to wear modest swim wear because many of the "mahouts" or elephant caregivers come from small villages in Thailand where if you even touch a woman, that is the woman you must marry.
So gentle! Say "Aaahhh!"
The thunder scared the baby, and when the baby cries all of the elephants come running to protect him.
Volunteers are welcome to come to the nature park and help take care of the elephants for a week or two.
I had a great time at the nature park. Everyone was really nice and we had a great lunch buffet. In the afternoon we watched a short film on how elephants are abused and misused in Thailand largely due to ignorance and cruel traditions. Part of the mission of the nature park is to educate people on what is happening to Thailand's elephants.
Even elephants need a good scratch now and then!
They are free to choose their family, form small herds and live amongst the people who love and respect them. They are not expected to work or perform. Instead, they are able to wander the park, feeding at their leisure, bathing in the river and playing together in the mud pit.About 8 people, including myself, were picked up by a bus at 8 a.m for the 1 1/2 hour ride to the park. Our day consisted of feeding the elephants by hand, bathing them in the river, more feeding and hanging out and watching them.
Aww. These two are best friends. The elephant on the right has a foot infection and can't lie down, so her best friend sleeps standing up too by leaning on each other.
Bathing the elephants.Elephant having a blast floating downstream!
Elephant butts!
We were urgded to wear modest swim wear because many of the "mahouts" or elephant caregivers come from small villages in Thailand where if you even touch a woman, that is the woman you must marry.
So gentle! Say "Aaahhh!"
The thunder scared the baby, and when the baby cries all of the elephants come running to protect him.
Volunteers are welcome to come to the nature park and help take care of the elephants for a week or two.I had a great time at the nature park. Everyone was really nice and we had a great lunch buffet. In the afternoon we watched a short film on how elephants are abused and misused in Thailand largely due to ignorance and cruel traditions. Part of the mission of the nature park is to educate people on what is happening to Thailand's elephants.
Even elephants need a good scratch now and then!
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