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The post มูลนิธิอนุรักษ์ช้างและสิ่งแวดล้อมมาเยี่ยมเยือนคนเลี้ยงช้างภาคตะวันออก appeared first on Save Elephant Foundation - Online News.

On 28th October this year we made him a special gift : A giant fancy birthday cake made from bread, watermelons, corn stocks, tamarind, pumpkins, sticky rice and bananas. See how much he enjoys his cake!

Massive thank you to  Pom, mahouts, volunteer teams and ENP staffs for making this happen!

Happy 7th Birthday to this entertaining playful young boy, Navann who lives in bliss at Elephant Nature Park – it wouldn’t be the same without you!

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The post Happy Birth Day to our Charming boy, Navaan appeared first on Save Elephant Foundation - Online News.

Hanging out with his handicapped mom and a trio of Gran-nannies all over 65…. nobody wants to play! As an energetic three year old without many ways to expend his energy, he gets lots of enjoyment and exercise from taking on a bunch of tied up tires.

On this particular morning, Navann had gran-nanny Tubtim in tow, standing on the sidelines watching over him protectively. After about ten minutes of non stop battle his mom Sri Prae and gran-nanny Mae Bua Kham finally ambled over to observe the antics of the apple of their eyes. Bua Kham considered joining in the fun, but decided to leave it to Navann.

Most all eles, but especially the young bulls, LOVE playing with tires. they are the perfect toy – easy to throw, slightly bouncy, easy to pick up and run with or fling around while tied to a big tree.

Tires are readily available, giving hours of entertainment- the elephants never tire of the TIRES!! and…. they are entertaining not just for the eles – but – for those lucky enough to be in the right place at the right time. To witness a playful pachyderm caught in the act of letting go and having fun is priceless.

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From double trouble to triple trouble….. Who doesn’t love a baby elephant wrestling match??

Not often are two and a half year old Navann, two year old Dok Mai and almost two year old Yindee able to play together. The reason for this? Because it would mean that THREE overprotective groups of nannies, gran-nannies and mothers would have to resist their urges to disrupt the play session to protect their beloved toddler, if they felt said toddler was being ‘bullied’ more than they could tolerate. Too many nannies, trying to do what they think is right can lead to a stressful situation!

It all started with Dok Mai and Navann rousting about. Yindee was hesitant at first but soon he could no longer resist, despite Pornsawan’s efforts to keep him on the sidelines.

Dok Mai and Navann can’t get enough of each other, despite Dok Ngern’s disapproval of their engagements.

Of course, the kids just want to have fun.

Dok Mai and Navann say hello to Mae Boon Ma.

What looks dangerous to their protectors is most likely a great time for them! Running, chasing, pushing and play mounting are all part natural baby elephant play behaviour. The more participants, the merrier.

Dok Mai’s protectors are having a difficult time staying out of it.

Yesterday afternoon, the three (not so) little ones came together for a long overdue play session.

Navann’s gran-nannies can be seen off in the distance.

Mothers Mintra, Sri Prae and Dok Ngern seemed unconcerned by their children’s boisterous antics, knowing the aunties/nannies would keep things in check. As usual, Faa Mai was referee (she loves this job) and Pornsawan kept a watchful eye on Yindee, while Navann’s gran-nannies fretted in the distance. The kids had a blast, hopefully expending lots of pent up energy. The play session ended uneventfully, each youngster cajoled back to their group without any trouble.

Yindee and Dok Mai perfect their tag team technique.

Though Yindee is the smallest, he always comes back for more.

Hopefully this will become a regular event. Yindee and Dok Mai play together each afternoon. Navann’s budding tusks (or tushes) and his bulk are two other reasons he is not often able to engage with the younger two. Beating up big blue tubs and playing with Sook Sai is ok, but Navann really needs interaction with others in his age range. As it seems that Yindee and Dok Mai have learned to ‘tag team’, they can surely handle ‘Prince Chunky Boy’ and give him a run for his money!

The post A play date for our toddler trio! appeared first on Save Elephant Foundation - Online News.

Jai Dee did the same. Since she arrived at our park , she becomes so confident to walk and introduce herself to different family groups, especially the group that have the young baby. She has visited Yindee and Dok Mai families.

Today it was time to visit with our charming prince Navann. Again he tried to draw her attention to be his nanny. We will update again soon.

The post Navann using his charms once again appeared first on Save Elephant Foundation - Online News.

As the dry season progressed, there was less and less to eat, so they were brought back in to the park. They then began spending more time with Boon Ma, Bua Loy, Lucky and Dani. We hope this alliance will continue to strengthen.

Mae Kham Puan and Lucky

Mae Kham Puan really enjoys the company of Lucky and Dani, but Tilly is still a bit stand-offish and often wanders away sulking. Once she gets far enough away, she calls out for Mae Kham Puan, causing her to stop her socializing and rush over to her needy friend.

But … Mae Mham Puan keeps wandering back over to Lucky.

It seems that she has developed a fixation, possibly a crush on the tall, lovely and also blind ex-circus elephant. Tilly is beside herself!! Lucky for Tilly, she and Mae Kham Puan were called on to participate in the Pamper a Pachyderm day program, which means that on the days the girls go to the PAP tour, Tilly has Mae Kham Puan all to herself.

Thai Koon, Navann and Dani

Dani has been spreading herself around quite a bit these days. When not with her group, she can be found in the company of Mae Perm and Jokia on some mornings. She has also been hanging with Kham Puan and Tilly on a more regular basis as well. She is one elephant that Tilly does not seem to mind sharing with Mae Kham Puan. Dani is also fond of newcomer Thai Koon, a young landmine victim who has attached herself to Dani’s group.

The ‘tree shrine’ seems to be a place where lots of interesting social mixing takes place.

Mae Perm and Mae Bua Loy

As of late, Mae Perm and Mae Jokia have been spotted mingling with members of the Boon Ma, Bua Loy, Lucky, Dani quartet.

Jokia and Dani

On one afternoon, Mae Perm was off with Lucky, while Jokia was snuggling with Dani!

Mae Jeam Sai and Mae Ban Yen

New arrivals Mae Banyen, Mae Jaem Sai and Thai Koon also tend to linger in this spot, seemingly confident around the others who spend lots of time in this area.

Yet another interesting development — to our great delight Mae Keow has been reaching out socially and spends a fair bit of time out at the tree shrine as well. She feels confident in the company of Lucky and really seems to enjoy spending time with the young landmine victim Thai Koon.

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Right after Elephant Nature Park settled at this location, Dam became the mahout of Mae Keow, Lek’s third elephant. He cared for her for almost a year. Dam then decided to leave for a while, but after about 10 months he came back hoping to yet again look after one of the ENP’s herd.

Not long after Dam’s departure, we rescued a bull elephant named Kham Meun. When Dam returned, we hired him back because he had experience working with hard to manage bulls, so he was put with Kham Meun. Dam looked after Kham Meun for about a year.

… And then we had an even bigger job for Dam, though in a smaller package!

Hope was just past 5-years-old when the mahout who was caring for him decided to go back home. Dam was asked to take over the very demanding job of managing Hope, who was well on his way to being the busiest elephant in the park. That first day when Dam became Hope’s mahout, was one of the luckiest days of Hope’s life. Hope was very fortunate to have such a patient, confident and accomplished mahout looking after him for the next 3 1/2 years — very formative years for a young bull.

Dam worked with Hope daily and using positive reinforcement taught Hope to respond to all the basic commands needed to keep him in control. Dam has an amazing way with elephants. They respond to his nature cooperatively, sensing that Dam knows what he is doing. Dam never uses excessive force or intimidation to get the response he needs from an elephant.

Dam enjoyed caring for Hope. Hope was content having Dam as his mahout. But, soon after the birth of Faa Sai, Dam felt that he needed a change. He was ready for a less demanding elephant. Having a baby meant needing more time off and that is not easy for the mahout of Hope. A second mahout was hired and the slow change over began.

Once Hope accepted his new mahout Dam took over the care of another elephant, this time a middle aged, very slow female named Mae Kham Geao. Mae Kham Geao was the polar opposite of Hope. Dam went from feisty, fast, spirited, mischievous male to slow, calm, predictable female. In short, Dam went from the most difficult elephant in the park to the easiest elephant in the park, almost like a permanent paid vacation!

For the next 3 1/2 years Dam was the mahout of Mae Kham Geao. Despite being very mild mannered, Mae Kham Geao was a special needs elephant, so Dam’s expertise was not lost on her. Mae Kham Geao moved at an incredibly slow pace and was a bit stubborn. A patient, experienced mahout was a must.

One of Dam’s many great qualities is the fact that he actually spends a good amount of time touching and engaging with the elephant in his care. More often than not, you will find Dam checking behind the ears and around the neck picking off tiny ticks. They may only be a very mild annoyance to the elephant, but the act of Dam gently touching his elephant regularly, creates in the elephant a strong sense of trust for Dam. Positive touch is very important in building a good mahout elephant relationship. This is essential when there is a stressful situation and a mahout needs to keep the elephant in control. The elephant may cooperate with the mahout more willingly as they feel safe with, and respect, the mahout without being afraid. This is how elephants respond to Dam and what makes him more special than the average mahout.

During Mae Kham Geao’s last days, Dam never left her side. He did everything in his power to make sure that she was comfortable. When she let go, Dam was there to say goodbye.

After Mae Kham Geao’s passing, Dam decided he wanted a career change. There is always an ongoing construction project of some sort going on here at ENP and Dam wanted to try his hand at welding. We thought it was a waste of a perfectly good mahout, but it seemed unfair to limit Dam’s experience and hold him back from learning a skilled trade … so, off went one of the best mahouts at ENP to ply the trade of welding. We could not help but feel a little bit sad.

Thankfully, the elephant gods had a plan!

Dam’s welding career was cut short by the arrival of Navann. When Sri Prae suprised us that morning with a new born calf, only days after her mahout had decided to leave, Dam was back on the job. Considering that the elephants born here will not be tortured into submission, having a competent, patient mahout is imperative to rearing a young calf — especially a bull. The timing was perfect. We breathed a sigh of relief knowing that Navann was in the care of Dam.

October 28, 2013 was Navann’s first birthday. Dam has taught him much in his first year of life as well as allowing him ample free time to just be a young elephant doted on by his mother and aunties. Navann’s days are long and full of learning, fun and new experiences.

At 6:30 a.m., many of our mahouts are just getting out of bed or still eating their breakfast. Dam, on the other hand, is already on the job, escorting Navann, Sri Prae, Mae Kham Paan and Dao Tong out to their favorite area in the field. The sunrise causes the morning dew covered grass to glisten.

While the elephants graze peacefully, taking in trunkfuls of the fresh morning air, Dam perches on a fallen log, pulls a block of wood from his bag and deftly begins to carve it into a miniature version of Navann. There is a sense of comfortable companionship and peace between the five of them. Navann, his devoted aunties and mother are very appreciative to be out roaming freely at such an early hour. They seem to know how lucky they are to have Dam as the head mahout of their family group.

We are certainly aware of how lucky we are to have Dam looking after Navann’s family. Mahouts like Dam who really care and take pride in what they do are a rare thing in this day and age. Thank you Dam, for all of your years of care and loyalty to the elephants of ENP!

The post Meet the Mahout: Navann’s Dam appeared first on Save Elephant Foundation - Online News.

Both Navann and Dok Mai, led by their families are also enjoying exploring the new territory and receiving botany lessons, elephant style. Each social group will have a turn as long as they are physically able. Our aim is to continue this for as long as it is possible, taking breaks from time to time or moving to different areas to allow the forest to regenerate.

This is the first step towards our future plans to allow the healthiest of our herd to one day live free roaming on fenced in, protected, forested land without the constant presence of humans. Our search for the perfect place where we can create this jungle sanctuary is ongoing.

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