An Elephant’s Best Friend – Patee Bpae Tru

(A mahout is a person who rides an elephant. The word mahout comes from the Hindi words mahaut and mahavat, which eventually goes back to Sanskrit mahamatra. Usually, a mahout starts as a boy in the ‘family profession’ when he is assigned an elephant early in it’s life. They remain bonded to each other throughout their lives.
The most common tools used by mahouts are chains and the Ankusa (or ankus, anlius) –a sharp metal hook used in the training and handling of the elephant by stabbing the elephant in the head, and in areas like the mouth and inner ear, where the animal is most sensitive.) -Taken from Wikipedia.

At Elephant Nature Park, the term ‘mahout’ is used loosely. After reading the definition, it is clear that the men and boys who work with the elephants in our care, do not actually fit the description. Our ‘mahouts’ are not allowed to ride the elephants or use the ankus hook. Many of them have never worked with elephants before arriving to the Park. They do come from tribes where being a mahout was a cultural tradition, but because of politics, deforestation and the encroachment of the modern world, these traditions are fast deteriorating.
… And the world is evolving, slowly but surely in a positive direction as well …
More and more, people are less interested in seeing an elephant working and tightly controlled. There is a growing interest in enjoying the elephant for WHO they are, with more emphasis on allowing them to do what they want. For this, you need more than just a mahout… you need an ‘Elephant Minder’. Technically, what we have here at Elephant Nature Park are exactly that. Elephant Minders.

Meet one of our best……
An Elephant’s Best Friend – Patee Bpae Tru
Patee is a Karen word which means ‘uncle’. Once a Karen man reaches about fourty this is what he is called. In some circles he may be known as ‘Jor Korkoh ahpaa’ which means ‘the father of Jor Korkoh’. A personal name is rarely, if ever used.

Patee and his son Pohpoh with Mae Jan Peng.  Photo Jodi Thomas

‘Patee Jan Peng’ is around 55 years old and quiet, soft spoken and calm. He just reaches the 5ft mark and does not weigh more than 110lbs, but his heart seems almost as big as the three ton senior citizen he cares for. He is the father of four children and grandfather of two. Two of his boys, Pohpoh and Korkoh are also mahouts. His expressive and energetic wife Celia works in our dog shelter giving non-stop love and care to the dogs she looks after.

Originally, Patee and his family come from the Karenni state of Burma. If it was possible, they would still be there, but many factors forced them to abandon their home and head for the safety of a refugee camp in Thailand. In the refugee camp there is education for children, freedom to worship the religion of your choice, limited but available medical care and various community support groups. The minimum nutritional food requirements are doled out by a handful of international NGO’s, but for your children to thrive, more is necessary. As a result, most men with families leave the sedentary life of the refugee camp to earn a modest income so that they may provide more for their children. Working with elephants is a readily available job. Patee has worked with elephants for more than 10 years.

Almost six years ago, Patee and Mae Jan Peng arrived together. At this point, you can not imagine one without the other.

The feeling is mutual…  photo Jodi Thomas

Jan Peng was retired to the ENP by her Karen hill tribe family whom she had served for three generations. Patee had been working for that family for some time, but not as mahout for Jan Peng. When the family decided to retire her, they wanted to send along the hired mahout so that the family member mahouts could stay with the working elephants. As always, we were skeptical. We were unsure if this man would adapt to our ways. But the family insisted. If we did not take this mahout with their elephant, he would no longer have a job….

As it turned out, Patee was a welcome addition to the ENP family. As far as gentleness and patience goes, Patee is at the top of the list. In fact, the more ‘Patees’ we can get as elephant minders, the better!

Age and experience go a long way in the elephant care-giving world. You have a definite advantage if you have already raised children and looked after grand children. This helps to build patience. To be the kind of minder that the elephants of ENP need, patience is a MUST.
Hill tribe life is simple but rough. Men like Patee wake up before the crack of dawn to get the fire going and the first pot of rice cooking. They are morning people.

Morning people     photo Jodi Thomas

At sunrise ENP is awoken by the howling alarm of 300+ dogs, the echoing crows of a few determined roosters and the celebratory song of numerous bird species. A new day has begun!

The chorus is soon harmonized by a lilting melody emanating from a modest flute, fashioned from a bit of plastic pipe. This simple morning symphony always puts a smile on your face. When the notes float gently upward, we know that one of our eldest and gentlest mahouts is already on the job and that dear little old Mae Jan Peng’s day has begun.

Elephants are morning ‘people’ too. The sooner they can get out to start their day the better. In those first hours of the day, there is still a bit of cool in the air. It is a refreshing time. They are eager to get out and graze. The elephants who have a minder that arrives early are the lucky ones. Their days are longer and more relaxed.

Peaceful co-existence.    Photo Jodi Thomas

Mae Jan Peng is very fortunate to have Patee. He is so much more than ‘just a mahout’ to her. Patee is a best friend, confidant and elder care giver all wrapped up in one. Observe the pair together and you witness an exercise in harmony. Their mutual affection is tangible. Patee is very thoughtful of Jan Peng and her needs. He knows her moods intimately. He knows what she is afraid of, he know what makes her feel safe. He knows exactly how she likes her watermelon peeled and he knows that she dislikes change.

Making sure the watermelon is just right.    Photo Jodi Thomas

Mae Jan Peng feels safe with Patee. She trusts him. His touch is gentle and reassuring. He laughs at her foibles and chides her reassuringly, never raising his voice. Patee lets Mae Jan Peng take her time, whatever she is doing. He does not mind that she is solitary, he is comfortable to sit quietly and watch her.

A labor of love.    Photo Jodi Thomas

Mae Jan Peng has a hole in her ear. This hole has negative implications from her exploitative past. Knowing that this hole should now never be used for the purpose it was intended, Patee has turned a negative into a positive. Each morning he finds a flower for the grandmother in his care and places it carefully in the hole, giving her a splash of vibrancy. Just a little labor of love… The recipient may not even notice, but the message is clear to the onlookers.

Patee passes the time carving small images of Jan Peng, which he sells to supplement his income, recognizable by the small flower detail on the right ear.

The carver with his canine companion.   Photo Jodi Thomas

Another thing that is evident is that Patee has a way with ALL animals. They flock to him. Once he settles down in that traditional hill tribe squat, a dog lies in front of him, offering up their belly to be rubbed. Even the dogs who are not popular with most people, are friends of Patee. Though Jan Peng herself is not crazy about dogs, she now has personal guardians. A pair of dogs, who are companions of Patee, take it upon themselves to assist in looking after the old grey lady. On some evenings they can be found guarding Mae Jan Peng throughout the night, sleeping on the top of her dirt mound, carrying out Patee’s work loyally.

Patee and Celia…. a perfect pair.

It is rather uncommon for hill tribe people to have an affinity for animals. They rarely have the luxury of extra food to feed companion animals or available veterinary care to keep them disease free. For these reasons they seldom form strong, affectionate attachments with any animal. Therefore, it is refreshing to see how much love Patee and his wife Celia share with the many animals who surround them in their everyday lives. Working at a place where respecting, loving and caring for animals are a way of life, their true natures have emerged. Their kindness and dedication do not go unnoticed.

As Patee plays his flute, seemingly serenading Mae Jan Peng, the dogs lie contentedly nearby.

The moment is tranquil.            Each being is at peace and knows they are safe.                The ‘Minder’ is mindful…..