Elephant Nature Park’s Navann Enjoys New Nannies

Four-month-old Navann has been having more fun than ever in the past few weeks at Elephant Nature Park.

His evening trips to the mud pit accompanied by mom Sri Prae and auntie Mae Kham Paan have been lasting longer and longer, finally climaxing with the long awaited first trip to the river.

At first we had thought that Sri Prae would not feel safe taking Navann to the river without a few more guardians, so we were not pushing the idea. The plan was to introduce Malai Tong and Jarunee to see if they all could get on without any stress or conflict. While this was still in the works, Mae Kham Paan and Navann decided they were ready, taking the initiative and heading to the river’s edge one fine afternoon after an extended romp in the mud. Once the two of them reached the water, Sri Prae could do nothing but follow.

Navann’s herd grows to include Malai Tong and Jarunee as aunties (from left – right: Sri Prae, Mae Kham Paan, Navann, Malai Tong, Jarunee)

Navann could not have been more excited! The river was a giant wading pool to him. He could hardly contain himself — rushing around splashing and tumbling down into the water, Mom and Auntie doing their best to keep him inbetween their legs. That first experience was kept short and sweet but from that day forward, playing in the river became part of the routine and something that Navann looked forward to with great anticipation.

The next big step was to bring out Malai Tong and Jarunee. Sri Prae loves Malai Tong. They could be best friends. Jarunee also loves Malai Tong and being blind and a bit shy of other elephants she needs Malai Tong’s company more than Sri Prae does. In the past they have all spent time together, but there was an underlying current of tension and jealousy. Both Jarunee and Sri Prae could be unpredictable around each other as they both want Malai Tong’s company.

Malai Tong is a natural born caregiver and LOVES to be an auntie. In the past Malai Tong has been auntie to many ele calves, most recently Faa Mai and Chang Yim!

Jarunee also loves babies. Since staying at Elephant Nature Park she was able to help look after a baby who was born in the park while his mother was here on maternity leave. The little bull calf named Tong Kham and his mother Mae Boon Chu were only here for the first eight months of his life and then were taken back by their owners, once they were both healthy enough. Their departure was very hard on Jarunee and she was quite heart broken for some time after.

Presently, our hope is that Navann can bring these females together and make them forget their jealousies, pour all of their love and affection on this little bull and look after him as a team.

Navann’s new herd getting along

For the past four or five days Malai Tong and Jarunee have been brought out to join the others for the mud bath and river outing. So far, all is going better than expected!

The first day, Jarunee was quite hesitant and stayed on the sidelines, having a private mudbath and only just getting down to the beach once the others were already on their way out. There was quite a bit of trunk thumping going on. Malai Tong was at once comforting and encouraging Jarunee, as well as protecting Navann. Mae Kham Paan’s presence is the perfect balance as Jarunee is already familiar with her as well. From the river’s edge, the group returned to the mud pit once again at Navann’s insistence, this time Jarunee joining them!

And so it has gone from there … each day more progress is made and the next step is the move Malai Tong and Jarunee to the stall next to Navann’s. Jarunee has gone from being hesitant to go in the river, to wading all the way to the opposite bank and even going up the other side! We can not express the extent of our happiness over this exciting development. Female elephants thrive on caring for young and being in social situations. It is incredible to watch shy elephants come alive once they have finally made the right connection. Stay tuned to see how this heartwarming story develops!