Things are changing in the Mae Taeng valley … it is not the quiet, secluded place it used to be. The realities of exploitative elephant tourism are now right next door and visible to us on a daily basis. Slowly but surely the land to the east of us has been bought up, initially being used for agriculture which limited our elephants grazing area. But, when the new land owners decided to build a restaurant/viewing platform and elephant camp beside us, our hearts sank.
You may ask “Why did we not buy this land well before it could be bought by others?” We did actually try. However, in this area much land for sale does not have a secure deed and buying this land could pose a risk. Also, the owner’s asking price is often twice the fair market value.
As a result, what we call the “back” of the park (where the view was pristine with no signs of human habitation) has now been spoiled by construction in progress and the sad sight of two young elephants on short chains, no access to water, heads bobbing endlessly in an act of infinite boredom. For the last two weeks or so, these poor elephants have been chained for most of the day, one within 10 feet of our property line. Obviously they can see, as well as communicate with our elephants.
Our herd has, of course, been curious about them. Faa Sai, defiantly ignoring the mahouts, has made several attempts to run over to meet the forlorn youngsters, Faa Mai and Chang Yim trundling along behind her. Knowing Faa Sai, she has probably been encouraging them to “break free and join the herd,” urging them to “resist and rebel,” and adding that “trekking is no life for an elephant.”
It was only a matter of time before something happened.
