Advertisement
After breakfast at the hotel restaurant this morning, we were picked up for our visit to the Elephant Jungle Sanctuary. Located about a 2 hour drive from Bangkok just outside of the city of Pattaya, the sanctuary is an ethical sanctuary where rescued elephants come to avoid being ridden, worked, or abused. Arriving at the sanctuary in the late morning, we were introduced to a few of the elephants while we waited for others to arrive who along with us would also be spending half the day with the elephants. Once everyone arrived, we all had the opportunity to visit with each of the elephants. They were all so calm and friendly and seemed to love being touched. The sanctuary provided buckets of fruits which we were allowed to freely feed to the elephants. I was quite nervous at first with feeding them. Having my hand so close to their mouth was a little unnerving but I quickly got used to it. After everyone got a chance to meet and feed the elephants, we all sat down and for an introduction to the sanctuary and it's purpose. We met the staff members who provided some information about the sanctuary and elephant
conservation. We also learned about each of the elephants and it was so interesting to hear about all the different personality quirks that each elephant had. Afterwards, we were all allowed to lead a few of the elephants to the nearby river for a mud bath and scrub. We all changed into some clothes that we wouldn't mind getting dirty and wet. Accompanied by the photographer, we then lead a few of the elephants down a path for a mud bath. In order to help entice the elephants and to keep them moving, we each brought a few pieces of fruit to feed them during the walk. There was a spot near the river that was set up for the mud bath with buckets full of mud waiting for us. Apparently the mud helps the elephants from sunburn and insect bites. Most everyone participated in grabbing a few handfuls of mud and rubbing it onto the elephants. I however was content with just taking photos. Also, I just did not want to get any of that mud on me. Shea seemed to be thoroughly enjoying herself. It seemed like she had single handedly caked mud onto half of her elephant
all while talking to him. Shea clearly loves elephants! After the elephants were covered in mud, we lead them nearby to the river for a scrub. At first sight of the river water, I knew immediately that I was not getting in. It was so stagnant and murky and probably full of elephant dung. It just looked so disgusting. That didn't stop about half of the group from getting in the water to be with the elephants. Everyone seemed to be having a great time scrubbing the elephants with the brushes. Shea sat out the scrubbing as well and we were just fine with watching everyone. After the scrubbing in the river, we all cleaned up, changed our clothes, and enjoyed a late lunch that the sanctuary provided. After lunch, we all had one last opportunity to feed the elephants. Before leaving, we had a brief demonstration on how the sanctuary made paper from elephant dung. I was so glad to have picked this ethical sanctuary to see elephants and thankful to know that our money was directly going to a wonderful cause. Back in the van, we had to endure the long 2 hour drive back into Bangkok.
Advertisement
Tot: 0.279s; Tpl: 0.013s; cc: 12; qc: 64; dbt: 0.1s; 1; m:domysql w:travelblog (10.17.0.13); sld: 1;
; mem: 1.2mb
D MJ Binkley
Dave and Merry Jo Binkley
Sanctuary
They are amazing animals.