Advertisement
We had an early start the next morning as we were to have breakfast before going on a walk into the park to see more of the elephants. Not that we had a problem waking up, as we had hardly had any sleep - between the dogs barking, elephants trumpeting and insects making some of the strangest noises, and being too hot, then too cold, we were already awake! Breakfast was cereal, toast done over an openfire with jam, or baked beans - which were cold Russ found out. Once breakfast was over, we again covered ourselves in suncream and insect spray, and our new guide came to introduce herself and ensure we had plenty of water as it would be about a two and a hours walk in the long grass.
Her name was Jody, and she had been at the park for over 9years. She again explained that we would need to be aware of our surroundings, and not stand directly in front of the elephants as they have very poor vision in that area and tend to swing their trunks instead which can knock you off your feet. Also, she explained that a number of the dogs
would be coming on the walk as well, and not all the elephants like the dogs, so to be aware of this too.
Firstly, we headed towards the river, to observe one of the elephants near the walkway. As we did so, one came round the corner right behind Russ, as we had our backs to the river, and no one had noticed! A close call, and reminder to be aware. Jody explained that elephants are able to move so quietly, becuase all their weight it on the front part of their foot, and the back is all cushioning. We set off striding into the long grass towards Jungle Boy, whom we could hear making noises in the distance. We approached with caution, and observed him, as we made our way towards the river. Across the river, the family group were quietly grazing, whilst the Grandma of the group was on our side of the bank allowing us to happily take her photo. Jody explained the dynamics of the group, and how some of the elephants playing "Auntie" we're doing so because they had previously had babies that had been forcibly removed from them and sold whilst they had
been used for logging. Grandma Mae Phre Sea - Mae meaning Miss- started to approach us, so we backed away. She then had agreat time pushing dirt down a banking, and throwing it up on herself. They use the mud as sunscreen, but also to keep away the insects.
We walked back across the park to see some more of the elephants. This time it was a group of three, who seemed to stick together. At least one of them had had mental issues, and had killed his Mahout, and injured a tourist before coming to the park. A number of the elephants bare the visible signs of abuse, with scarring on their heads and bits missing from their ears. One of the elephants got quite curious of us, and quite close, and it's Mahout spent a bit of time telling it to back away.
At the Medical centre, we again saw the elephants having pedicures, and treatment for abscesses, and we continued round to the stalls to see one of the elephants washing its own feet! It had had part of the underside of its foot blown off when it stepped on a landmine on the border
with Burma. Luckily only part of the soft padding was affected, but the elephant was susceptible to infection, so often was not allowed to roam out and kept on hard standing.
In a field, behind the stalls, two elephants were together. One of them is totally blind, having lost the sight in both eyes at the hands of humans. Jokeha relies on its friend, another elephant, to protect it. This elephant was so lovely, and uses its trunk to smell the air around it. However, she is by no means a follower, and Jody said that often it is she that leads the two of them, despite being blind.
We set off to return to the platform, at the same time as a number of the elephants were also heading in the same direction. They don't all get along, as they have formed different social groups, and as we were trying to be aware of what was going on behind us, one of the elephants took exception, and ran off by itself!
After the walk, which had been hot and quite strenuous, as the grass was very long in places and ground uneven, we went back to
the platform in time to feed Jokeha and her friend. Her blindness did not affect her appetite, and she knew exactly where the food was. There were 1day visitors there too, as excited as we had been the previous day busily feeding the elephants.
After feeding the elephants, we went for lunch, which was the same as the previous day -rice, noodles, soup and cold chips. After lunch, we went to the conference room to watch quite a hard hitting documentary about the park, it's aims and how elephants are treated in Thailand. in order to make an elephant submissive, and able to work, at an early age, they are put into a "crush" for upto 3 months, and hit, poked, stabbed etc until they they lift their legs to allow chains to be put on them. It was a very disturbing film to watch. What we also saw in the film was Lek rescue a baby elephant that we had not seen or heard mentioned in the park. This was because shortly after the film was made, it was delibrately poisoned by people that were unhappy about the content of the film and that thought by killing the
elephant Lek would keep quiet in future, allowing the treatment of elephants to carry on just as it had for hundreds of years.
Whilst waiting for our second opportunity to bathe the elephants, the sky grew dark and it started to thunder, and large rain spots started. The rains only lasted 15 minutes, and as we collected our buckets to go down to the river, it was just spitting. Again we were able to wash and get up close to the elephants, with one of them lying down and rolling over to get washed.
After washing them, we were hurried up the steps of the platform as the family group were approaching for their river wash. Some of the guests were dawdling, and the guides were getting quite agitated as the larger elephants are so protective of the little ones. once they had finished and come out, we again got some more photo opportunities, and feeding ones.
We then had a chioce of activity, going to the medical centre or tubing. We chose tubing, which took place a little up river. We werent able to take our cameras with us, so there is no evidence, but be
assured, Russ fell out of his doing a complete somersualt hitting a rock! It was ok, but it probably more fun when there is more water in the river.
Once we had changed and dried ourselves, Tony one of the helpers came to get us to go further down the river to see the family group bathing themselves. This was a lovely sight, with trunks and heads everywhere. It Was like watching children at the swimming baths jumping on each other. Once they had done, out they came, had a roll around in the dirt and continued back to the stalls for the evening.
This was it, our time at the park was at an end and we were on our way back to our hotel. On our return we were glad of our air conditioned room, hot shower and clean clothes. As we hadn't had much sleep, we went into the centre for food, and had an early night.
If you would like to learn more about the Elephant Park, or visit the park yourself:
www.elephantnaturefoundation.org
Advertisement
Tot: 0.073s; Tpl: 0.012s; cc: 7; qc: 24; dbt: 0.0498s; 1; m:domysql w:travelblog (10.17.0.13); sld: 1;
; mem: 1.1mb