Resurrected – a ghost brought back to life…

On the second of February 2015 after a 20 hour truck ride, a rickety shadow of an elephant arrived to Elephant Nature Park.

There have been numerous elephants rescued since the founding of ENP back in 1995, many arriving in dreadful condition – But – rarely have we encountered an elephant as emaciated as she who has become SAZA.

A skeleton shrink wrapped in dried out skin, she was covered with pressure wounds. Tendons exposed, not a muscle left in her body with the exception of her trunk. Lucky for her, besides being about 700 lbs under weight, she has no old breaks or dislocations. She is also fortunate to have sight in both eyes, though robbed of her eyelashes by greedy humans with a lust for animal parts.

Posessing a strong spirit, Saza is determined to survive.

Until recently, there were no significant laws in effect to protect elephants in Thailand. There was no official retirement age. As long as an elephant could still walk, they could be worked. Owners, seeing the elephant as only a commodity, need to get as much out of their investment as possible.
Thanks to our founder Lek Chailert and Khun Nuna Silpa Archa, the first ever serious animal protection law was passed in December 2014. In this new law it stipulates that any elephant over the age of 55 must be retired. The next step is for these laws to be enforced. If enforced, the ‘Sazas’ of the working elephant world will all be retired and finally given the specialized care that they so rightly deserve.

Saza was born around 1943 in Mae Chaem.

Her first job was pulling a plow tilling fields, though she spent most of her life working in logging. After the logging ban in 1989, Saza was used to give rides to tourists. She worked in many different areas through out Thailand, finally ending up in Kanchanaburi where she was discovered, gaunt and listless but still being worked.

Saza before rescue.

Hoards of uneducated tourists rode on her back and posed reclining on her trunk, completely unaware that she was deteriorating before their very eyes. Eyes that were blind to her suffering…. only open to their ‘selfie’ shots as they thoughtlessly used her as a prop in their latest vacation photo trophy.

Ignorance is bliss….

Saza’s last set of teeth are completely worn out, making it impossible for her to absorb any nutrition from the grass, cornstalks or pineapple tops she was given at the end of each day. After lifting humans all day every day and balancing them on her trunk, she barely had enough energy to lift the food to her mouth and then, without a good set of teeth – she could not even chew it.

Saza’s dung shows her poor digestion.

Day by day, she was wasting away…

Similar to humans, each elephant posesses their own personality and constitution. Some elephants are survivors and can endure much suffering and still keep going – while others give up quickly under extreme pressure. It is astonishing that given Saza’s condition, she still had the will to keep going. It is a wonder that she did not just lay down one night and refuse to get up the next morning.

BUT – Saza had not lost HOPE…..

Somehow, she must have known that there was a light at the end of the long, seemingly unending, dark tunnel that was her life.

So she kept going … and finally …

She has reached the other side.

Khun Nuna Silpa Archa learned about Saza’s plight and contacted a friend who was interested in helping out an elephant in need. Now, thanks to funds donated by Mr. Visit Tantisunthorn and family Saza is safe at ENP.

Saza enjoys her special diet.

She is on a diet of specially developed elephant pellets, banana and rice balls, peeled watermelon, tamarind salt balls, banana leaves, bamboo leaves and cornstalks. She spends her afternoons at a secluded spot on the riverside where the grass is very tender.

A few times a week, after the other elephants have went back to their shelters, Saza takes a walk out to the main area of the park. She is still quite hesitant to really enjoy the mud bath or the river. She DOES enjoy hanging out under the fig trees, scratching herself against the trunk, eating the figs that have dropped and brushing herself with fresh leafy branches.

Saza getting to know her new surroundings.

Saza has gained weight since her arrival, but she is still too frail to attempt any meetings with other members of our herd.

Just recently, on her way back to her shelter, she passed by the shelters of Faa Mai, Tong Jaan, Mae Bua Tong and Faa Sai. For the first time ever, she seemed interested in the other elephants and reached in to fleetingly interact with them.

Enjoying a fig tree branch.

Saza wisely surveys her new surroundings. She has a stately air about her. Despite being a slave all her life, she still has a sense of dignity.   She seems appreciative of our efforts to restore her health and vitality.           Finally retired, she no longer has to work for anyone.

We now happily work for HER, doing our best – to make the rest of her days, the BEST days.