Elephant Nature Park Rescues Elephant from Circus
30-year-old Lucky finds new home at Thailand sanctuary
CHIANG MAI, Thailand (Feb. 13, 2013) – Thanks to Save Elephant Foundation (SEF), one elephant who spent her life performing in a circus has a new home, and a new lease on life at the foundation’s flagship project outside of Chiang Mai, Elephant Nature Park (ENP).
SEF staff and volunteers, including Founder Sanguden “Lek” Chailert, headed down to the Surin province of Thailand on Jan. 31 with a mission: to rescue Lucky, a famous circus elephant blinded by spotlights from twice-daily performances, and release her into freedom at ENP.
Approximately 48 hours later, Lucky walked off of the truck she spent 24 hours commuting in from Surin to Chiang Mai, and experienced her first steps as a free elephant. Immediately, the park’s family herd took to her, speaking with her and learning more about her with their trunks.
“We heard about Lucky a few months ago and I decided quickly this elephant needed a better life,” said Chailert. So, she assembled a team, including one of the park’s vets, and headed down to Surin to pick-up the elephant and transport her to her new home among the parks other 34 elephants.
Today, more than 10 days after her arrival, Lucky has settled in well.
“She loves to go and talk to the other elephants at the park and walk around, exploring everything the park has to offer,” said Chailert. “I am so pleased with the way she has taken to her new home.”
The rescue was made possible by a kind donation from David and Holly from British Columbia. The two recently volunteered at the park and wanted to help make a difference.
About Elephant Nature Park: Beyond the concrete jungle of Chiang Mai, Thailand, lies an entirely different jungle. A real jungle where lush, tree-covered mountains are home to numerous species of animals. Within this jungle is a special place — Elephant Nature Park (ENP). Unlike other tourist outfits in Thailand, ENP delivers something unique — a chance to interact with elephants without exploiting them. ENP provides a sanctuary for these creatures broken by tourism and the illegal logging industry.
Founded in 1995 by Sangduen “Lek” Chailert, ENP gives these magnificent animals a new lease on life. At ENP, there are no tricks. There are no rides. No elephant paintings can be bought. Here, these elephants are allowed to live their lives free from bullhooks, free from abuse. Home to more than 30 elephants, most of which have been saved from the tourist and illegal logging industries, the Park offers visitors the opportunity to engage with the animals. Operating daily trips to ENP, visitors can choose to spend the day, night or even more mingling with these creatures in their natural habitat. At ENP, guests can feed the elephants and bathe them, and also learn about the plight of the Asian elephant and what they can do to help.
About Save Elephant Foundation: A Thai non-profit organization, Save Elephant Foundation is dedicated to providing care and assistance to Thailand’s captive elephant population. It operates through a multifaceted approach, which involves local community outreach, rescue and rehabilitation programs and educational ecotourism operations. Its projects include: Elephant Nature Park, a sanctuary for more than 30 elephants, which is consistently ranked as one of Chiang Mai’s top attractions by Trip Advisor; Journey to Freedom; Surin Project; Jumbo Express; Elephant Haven; Elephant Sanctuary Cambodia at the Cambodia Wildlife Sanctuary and more.
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