Chain-Free Living at ENP

Finally, we are able to enjoy the payoff of the long term construction work and the constant presence of heavy machinery. Our newest chain-free shelters are finally reaching completion!!

The good news

Boon Ma, Bua Loy, Dani and Lucky in their chain free shelter waiting for release in the morning.

Within the last year, there have been three shelter building projects in progress. This is a long, costly and many layered process, but the end result is wonderful for the elephants. Mae Boon Ma, Mae Bua Loy, Lucky and Dani now have their own chain-free shelter.

The new and improved elephant clinic with chain-free enclosures.

The renovations to our Elephant Clinic are almost complete meaning that Mae Tee and Mae Jan Peng now have chain-free spaces, too!

Jungle Boy’s yard is nearing completion. He will be moved to his new space in two months. Much planting has been taking place in his yard so we must wait for the grass to really take root and get established. Only a small portion of his wall and his gate need to be finished. Both of the bull pools have a walk-thru waterfall and are deep enough for them to fully submerge, float and roll over!

And the great news!

A view of the outside of the bull yard from afar.

However, the most exciting news of all today is that Hope has been moved to his bull yard and is now roaming safely, chain-free all of the time, whether in musth or not!

A cool pool for a handsome bull — Hope’s personal swimming hole.

Hope’s yard spans about two acres and includes a large pool, mud pit area, and a built-in training wall where he will learn via target training and positive reinforcement basic instructions for medical treatments.

Hope’s grass is so tall, you can’t see his walls.

It took some time to prepare Hope’s yard but it was worth the wait. Much planting was done in advance and he now has quite a lush landscape with grass easily as tall as his shoulder. 

Hope enjoying an early morning wander around his perimeter.

Upon release, we could see Hope going through a range of emotions, from the initial uncertainty  “Can I really go ANYWHERE I want? Eat ANYTHING I want?” to interested exploration, when he hesitantly checked out the green bounty that was all his … almost overwhelmed and not knowing where to start, to then peacefully and more confidently with every step walking his perimeter. As the hours passed, he looked more and more relaxed; the swagger was back in his step, the satisfied smile on his face. He was content, he had a kingdom of his own.

Hope and Mae Bua Tong, so close but yet so far.

Many of you may ask if he will  be allowed female visitors?? Ultimately, YES … but there is much to consider regarding this.

If we allow females in to visit, Hope will have to be chained for everyone’s safety. This may initially frustrate him, though as he begins to understand the routine, he will cooperate. Also, there is the chance that the girls will enter his shelter and take more interest in Hope’s tall grass than his company, wander out of his reach and deplete his browse, which would be unfair. 

Fii fai fo fong, I smell an ele-gal named Bua Tong! Up periscope …

Besides safety and allowing the bulls freedom to roam chain-free, another reason we built the bull yards was to curb reproductive activity so as not to produce more babies. If we do allow females of breeding age to visit Hope, we will have to be very aware of whether or not they are ovulating and not allow visits if they are. In the recent past, Hope has put a high priority on having ‘close-up’ time with the ladies. But – there is a chance that now in his new peacable kingdom, with the knowledge that all who he knows and loves are within scent and communication range, he will be content to enjoy his space on his own. 

 For now, the feeling of freedom from chains and a mahout is still a new experience.

Hope reaping the benefits of his new area … looking WILD!

It is exciting to observe Hope as he continues to explore his new space and do what he wants with no one telling him what to do. He is still given a ration of cornstalks or grass at night and has a ‘clean up/feeder mahout’ who maintains the area nearest the training wall and shelter. In addition, Hope has already begun Target Training sessions each afternoon and is learning very fast (as we knew he would!). 

Twelve years after his rescue, a 14-year-old Hope begins his second stage of life, which is only just a stepping stone towards a future of total freedom one day as King of the Jungle.