Elephants are known for their large ears, long trunk, and exceptional intelligence. Studies show that elephants can solve problems and use tools. They are also highly empathic creatures that care for and comfort fellow elephants.
Unfortunately, many elephants today are born in captivity and used as beasts of burden or kept captive in zoos and other entertainment facilities.
The Asian elephant, the largest land mammal in Asia, is now classified as an endangered species. There are only 1,000 to 3,000 Asian elephants left in the wild due to illegal wildlife trade, habitat loss, and human-wildlife conflict.
Fortunately, there are organizations who are actively helping the plight of the Asian elephant.
One of these is the Save Elephant Foundation, a Thai non-profit organization that provides care and assistance to Thailand’s captive elephant population.
The organization runs rescue programs, environmental conservation programs, educational ecotourism, and community outreach activities.
In 2021, they rescued mom elephant Kham Moon and her baby elephant Pyi Mai.
Both elephants were living in terrible conditions in an elephant show and riding camp in Chiang Mai.
They did not have access to adequate food and water.
Mom Kham Moon was kept on a short chain in a small concrete pen.
She did not even have enough space to care for Pyi Mai as a newborn.
Despite their poor living conditions, Kham Moon cared for her baby as much as she could, and Pyi Mai was always beside her mom.
Fortunately, the Save Elephant Foundation learned about their living conditions and rescued them.
Mom and baby elephant were brought by truck to the elephant sanctuary Elephant Nature Park in Northern Thailand.
There are over 100 elephants in Elephant Nature Park, all of them rescued. Before living here, the elephants were street beggars, performers, and being ridden by tourists. Many of them were physically and psychologically injured.
The rescued elephants are free to roam around their natural surroundings at the sanctuary.
They can graze in fields, play in the mud, and bathe in the river. They are also allowed to socialize with other elephants and care for their young with the help of other adult elephants.
When Kham Moon and Pyi Mai arrived at Elephant Nature Park after the short truck ride, the other elephants in the herd rushed to meet them.
You can see them excitedly hurrying to where the new elephants are.
When the new arrivals are first fenced inside their new home, the other elephants reach inside with their trunks to say hello. It’s a wonderful sight to see the elephants give Kham Moon and Pyi Mai such a warm welcome.
Today, Kham Moon and Pyi Mai are inseparable and happy living together among fellow elephants at Elephant Nature Park.
Another rescue elephant Dmax has taken on the role of baby Pyi Mai’s nanny. When Kham Moon first arrived, other elephants approached her to help her take care of Pyi Mai.
Dmax would visit mom and baby and eat with them. This led to Kham Moon trusting her, and they became friends. Today, she and Kham Moon take care of Pyi Mai together.
We’re grateful that Elephant Nature Park has rescued so many elephants in dire need of better living conditions and a loving environment.
If you want to sponsor an elephant and help the sanctuary, please visit their website here.
Watch a herd of elephants greet Kham Moon and Pyi Mai happily in the video below!
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