New Arrivals to Phuket Elephant Sanctuary

Two elephants were brought into retirement last week and taken to the Phuket Elephant Sanctuary (PES)!

The first to be rescued was Gaew Ta.  In her early 50’s, her name means little darling and she is completely blind.  She has been giving rides in Phuket for the last two years and spent her early years logging in Southern Thailand.  Her rescue went really well, and she loaded onto the truck with ease.

Once she arrived to her new home at Phuket Elephant Sancturay, she went down to the stream where she slowly put her feet in the cool water and was able to graze in the jungle for  a couple hours.  She will now be able to enjoy a life of peaceful retirement.

The second rescue was Dok Gaew.  She was giving rides to tourists until she could not walk anymore. Her rescue was much more complicated than Gaew Ta, as Dok Gaew was too weak to move due to an infection caused by an untreated wound on her elbow and swollen legs and feet.

To aid in her recovery, the vet team administered IV fluids, antibiotics, vitamins, and high energy foods over the course of 48 hours.  The truck used to transport her was given a non-slip mat and padded posts for her to lean against on her journey to freedom. Once on the truck, she settled in and smelled the air to see where she was going.  Despite her condition, she traveled very well!

Upon arrival to the Sanctuary, She slowly walked to her new enclosure and gave all of those involved in her rescue a big surprise!  They all presumed she was exhausted from the trip, she started scratching her bum against the water trough as if she wasn’t able to scratch for several years!  The injury on her elbow will be continuously monitored as she settles into her new home.

These two lovely ladies will be able to live as they please in a wonderful, forested area at the Phuket Elephant Sanctuary.  Here they will be able to bond over their pasts and make new futures together! Stay tuned for more updates on their recovery and transition to a different life.

Thank you to all of involved including the owner of the land of PES Montri Todtane, Louise Rogerson, Russell Withers, Darrick Thomson, Lek Chialert and special thank you to Robyn and Pieter Schats and all their friends in Clearwater Bay, Hong Kong, Fiona Hardie in Hong Kong, and Iniala Beach House in Phuket for partnering with us.