No elephants were harmed in the writing of this entry

Today Krisi and I went to the Elephant Nature Park, run by the Elephant Nature foundation: http://www.elephantnaturefoundation.org/ This park is dedicated to providing rescued elephants with a safe haven, free of the abuses of traditional domesticated living.

In Thailand, only wild elephants are considered endangered and protected. Domesticated elephants are considered to be livestock and have minimal protection by the law. That means that their owners can do pretty much anything with them...and they pretty much do. Traditionally, young elephants are taken away from their mothers at about 3 years old and put in the "crush" (english pronunciation...do not know thai spelling). Basically, they are kept in a small cage and are beaten by the mahouts (trainers) until their spirit is broken and they become obediant. From there, they can become working elephants, doing illegal logging, street begging, elephant shows, providing elephant rides for trekkers throughout Thailand.

Apart from the brutality of the training process, these elphants are harmed in multiple ways. The street beggers are often injured by cars. One of the elephants we met had his leg broken by an 18-wheeler. Some are worked to death...one of the sweet female elephants we met was a recivering amphetamine addict...her mahouts kept her high so that she could work double duty without rest. We also learned that Asian elephants' backs are not made to carry the weight of the saddle that is used for riding them, and we saw many elephants suffering from back injuries.

The elephant who stood out to Krisi and I was Medo, a 24 year old who, according to those in the know, looks far older than her years. Due to a hip injury, Medo was fired from her logging job, but her owner still wanted money from her. So, he tied her front legs around a tree and released a male in musth (the aggressive period before mating) into her pen. Unfortunately, the male didn't like her,so, instead of mating,he forcefullly and aggressively mounted her until her back broke. Because he was so aggressive, no one could go in to help her for days. Luckily, she was saved by the park. But her crooked little body alienates her from the others and, other than her mahout, she has no friends. So Krisi and I fed her bananas (favourite), watermelon (meh) and pineapple (spat out) and made sureto give her some extra scrubbing in the lake and a lot of compliments and praise.Yes, after we fed the elephants, we got to go into the lake with them and wash them. It was an experience I will never forget....walking to the river in step with the elephants.

The park is also home to about 50 friendly dogs and cats ( I triedto pet all of them!), some cows, a number of burmese mahouts, local women working as cooks, and volunteers from all over the world. Receiving no governement funding, they must rely on ethical tourists and volunteers.

The goal of the park is to save as many elephants as possible and they must often purchase abused elephants from their cruel masters. They are also trying to change the traditional role of the mahout...from a lowly working boy / punisher, to a respected and kind animal trainer with knowledge and skill.

How can you help?
Well, they take donations. They also take volunteers, and I hope very much to return to the camp in the future for at least a week to help with these amazing animals. Most importantly, spread the word and do not support tourist industries that feed off cruelty. Do not pay to feed street elephants. Do not go on an elephant trek in the jungle. Never ride on an asian elephant's back.

Krisi and I ended today feeling like we had an extraordinarily special experience. We got to see elephants enjoying their lives in an oasis of safety and love. They are the lucky few. We feel luckiest of all to have met them.