Baby elephant Navann’s family reunites

In our last post about Navann and his ever changing line up of doting aunties, Dao Tong had joined the group much to the dismay of Mae Jarunee, who moved off to the sidelines in an act of protest. Faa Mai, Faa Sai, Tong Jaan, even Mae Bua Tong and Chang Yim had been spending lots of time with Navann, causing Mae Keow and Dani to lose their confidence to approach the irresistible young bull. Malai Tong was quite busy between keeping Mae Jarunee company, checking in with Navann and flitting around like the social butterfly that she is catching up with old friends.

What would happen next was anyone’s guess …

In this case the ‘doctor’s orders’ helped set the stage for the recent turn of events. The ENP vet team requested that Sri Prae and Malai Tong spend less time on sand and more time on hard-packed earth. Both girls are landmine victims who receive daily cleaning and treatment on their old injuries. They had been spending lots of time in the river, which was nice, but when coming out of the river their damaged feet became encrusted with sand, thus hindering the healing process.

Back up to the front corner they went. The rains had begun. The grass had grown tall and lush making for good grazing. Some clumps of grass are even taller than Navann! He LOVES to run through it, squeaking and kicking … sometimes chasing dogs, sometimes chasing butterflies.

Now that Dok Mai and her mom ‘Mae’ Dok Ngern are free roaming with their family, Faa Sai, Faa Mai and Tong Jaan are kept busy with their own baby and no longer have an interest in Navann.

Chang Yim had been attempting to move in with Navann to become an adopted big brother/mentor figure, but his rough play with Dao Tong and Sri Prae prevented that from becoming a reality.

Overall this move has had a positive effect on Navann’s family. Jarunee seems to have overcome her issues with Dao Tong for the most part and is back to mingling with the group. Malai Tong is again a constant presence as well. Probably the best thing about this development is that Mae Keow is interacting with the group once again and getting some much needed Navann time.

Mae Keow — in a new role

But now, the relationship dynamic between Mae Keow and Navann has changed. Mae Keow seems to have taken on the role of ‘playmate auntie’. She and Navann engage in chasing games, playful pushing and kicking matches and sometimes appear to be racing with each other.

Navann can’t get enough of this interaction as it is completely different than how his other aunties act with him. Mae Keow smacks him with her trunk and kicks with her rear leg, but Navann just keeps coming back for more. Though Navann thinks this is great, the other aunties are not sure what to think about this new behavior, especially the overprotective Dao Tong. She takes on the role of mediator and on more than one occasion has moved towards Mae Keow in a threatening manner seeming to be telling her to tone it down a bit.

So for now, it seems that things have settled into a routine for Navann, Sri Prae and the aunties. Their group is stable for the moment and Navann is the center of attention, which is where he loves to be.

His days are filled with eating, chasing, climbing, swimming, exploring, being loved and nurtured … all is well in Navann’s world.