Our intern Debbie was lucky enough to spend time on one of our more unique programs, Journey to Freedom. Here’s what she had to say about her experience:

‘Journey to Freedom was one of the most rewarding experiences I have had. The journey began when 8 people from all over the world along with two guides drove to one of the local villages called Mae Hame. The first few days we spent time getting to know the elephants in their natural habitat as well as learning their background stories. It’s a beautiful experience to observe them in the wild and learn about their habits and things they like to eat.

Besides being with elephants, Journey to Freedom offers a chance to interact and teach the local children English language. It is a win-win situation where children get to practice some English and volunteers get to spend time with adorable kids and perhaps try teaching for the first time. Personally, I really enjoyed teaching because this way I felt I was truly giving something back.

Some days were spent cutting and planting grass for the elephants and on the odd occasion we were lucky enough to visit a temple and meet and greet locals.

After a long day, dinner time was something everyone looked forward to probably because Yo, our guide, was the best cook we could ever have. At night we spent time conversing, listening to Yo’s wisdom, playing games, drinking ginger tea, and just looking at stars.

Now that it’s over I know that I will never forget this experience. The people I was with hold a special place in my heart and Journey to Freedom became my journey for life.’

Journey to Freedom is a program ran by Save Elephant Foundation that allows volunteers to experience life in one of the Hill Tribes of Northern Thailand. Not only do volunteers have the opportunity to become immersed in the culture and learn the traditional ways of the Karen people, but they also spent time with the village owned elephants who roam freely near by. This project gives our volunteers a sense of achievement as they not only help the community by teaching local children, constructing local facilitates and assist with the care of the elephants but also offers a  cultural exchange in which they can learn lessons of the jungle that many travellers will never experience.

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When Erawan Elephant Retirement Park opened in July, 2013, Save Elephant Foundation was able to take five elephants from trekking camps, street begging and performance shows and move them to a new home … in retirement. Now, almost six months later, we are happy to report that these elephants are enjoying their freedom. This project came about because Lek worked hard to establish relationships with camps in Kanchanaburi and educate them on how to help their elephants lives become better.

An integral part to all of our projects is education that expands beyond just our world of visitors and volunteers. We continue to educate elephant camp owners and hope we can help improve their lives in captivity.

Over the past few years, we have had several camps open next to us at Elephant Nature Park.

The nearby trekking camp with their elephants. This is no longer their world, thanks to the hard work and education they have received from Lek and SEF about how to better their elephants lives.

Every day, we drive past these camps and see elephants chained in their shelters, rocking their heads and exhibiting signs of stress.

Over the past few months, Lek has been working with one of the nearby camps. She invited the camp over to come and visit ENP to show the owner the way the elephants live there. Their staff were trained to cook vegetarian food for their clients. Our vets went down the road to tend to the camp’s elephants when they were in need.

The camps elephants enjoying being unchained and not working.

It took time for them to understand what we were doing, but when we asked if they were interested in changing their camp from riding and shows to one that echoes us, the owner opened their heart and was brave enough to make the change.

Elephants from the camp can now have coatings of mud and good scratches.

Starting now, all the elephants from the camp no longer have to work or perform, they will walk to freedom. They will swim and eat. We are so happy to support this — and any other project — willing to make a change to make their elephants lives better.

Today, we are so overjoyed to announce this heartwarming story and share it with you. For these elephants, it isn’t just going to be a new year, it is going to be a new life.

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Elephant Nature Park’s newest mother ‘Mae’ Sri Prae is a bit on the cautious side to say the least! Since Navann’s arrival the pair have spent most of their time in the shelter with the occasional outing at the end of the day. Navann is so curious and over-excited to explore everything and everywhere, he often takes off running ahead of Sri Prae and grandma-auntie Mae Kham Paan. This, of course, causes them to panic and charge after him.

More often than not, Navann is rushing towards other elephants, either with the intention of introducing himself to them or sometimes out of confusion, wanting to take refuge under their bodies —  forgetting that the females who are expecting that kind of behavior are actually BEHIND him!

These situations can lead to chaos and unexpected harm, possibly to Navann. Trying to stop an overexcited, healthy, robust three-month-old bull elephant on a mission is no easy task!
Sri Prae has become accustomed to the boundaries of the chain-free shelter and knows Navann is safe to run as he wishes when in their space, but the outside world is a different story! When released it can sometimes take a while for Sri Prae and Mae Kham Paan to relax and enjoy themselves.

The mud pit has been the destination of choice on the most recent outings.

There is hardly an elephant alive who does not love a good romp in the mud. A mud wallow can transform even the most stodgy, old elephant into a playful youngster, bringing out their inner child. We have all been waiting with great anticipation for Navann’s first full-on mud bath.

Feeling like proud parents ourselves, we were dying to document the moment, so that we could share it with YOU, our loyal followers. Their first visit was short, but sweet.

Sri Prae was really aching for a good long scratch so she spent most of her time doing just that. She felt that a wallow in the mud would do her some good, but she had her reservations as to whether it was going to be a safe activity for her little Navann or not. The trio did get into the mud, but mom and auntie vocalized constantly in a mixture of concern and excitement. They just could not let go of their worries and really have fun. In no time, Sri Prae decided that she was ready for the safety of their shelter.

On the evening of February 12 Navann, Mae Sri Prae and grandma Mae Kham Paan were back at the mud pit. Once again, they were initially overly cautious and the females vocalized their distress, with a mixture of excitement. After only a short time, Sri Prae made ready to return to the shelter, but before they could get going in that direction, the mahouts were instructed to try to lead them to the river for a bath.

As can be expected, Kham Paan and Sri Prae have been avoiding this activity as well, though the river is extremely shallow at this time! Since we did not want to force the trio to do anything that was stressful, the were allowed to veto our suggestion and retreat. But — before heading home –they had second thoughts about the mud bath and decided to go in once again.

For whatever reason, the veil of mystery and danger had been lifted and this time was the moment we had been waiting for! Sri Prae cast her worries aside and it was pure joy … no stress, just rolling and romping, mud slinging and rubbing. Navann sludging around under foot, dove into the mud head first, at times almost unrecognisable as an ‘ele-infant’ so caked in mud was he!

Now that the boundary of worry had been broken, it was difficult to get them OUT of the mud pit and they stayed in for well over 30 minutes. By the time they exited, all were satisfied, including the elephants and the observers. Three muddy, mighty, mini-mammoths trundled homeward, the youngest almost asleep on his feet. Little Navann slept well that night after such exciting play, most likely dreaming of mud!

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If you want an even better look at these adorable snaps, click on the photos.

1. Starting off the nominees … baby Navann!

We may be biased, but we think he’s the cutest elephant in the world!

2. And some more Navann …

Navann will show up a total of six times in the top ten, so it’s not surprising he’s here back-to-back-to-back. Given how small Lek is, his cuteness is HEAVY!

3. And even more Navann

This time the “little” guy is playing with his favorite toy (for the time-being): a tire.

4. Fatty Faa Mai

Vying for Lek’s attention more now that Navann is around, Faa Mai is learning how to entertain herself on her own. Here, she’s playing tag with a dragonfly at Elephant Nature Park.

5. Navann and his bathtub

An oldie, but a goodie! Navann’s enjoying his new bathtub, as his first one was a bit too small for a baby elephant!

6. Navann says “hello”

Here’s our not-so-little boy again saying “Hello!” in the best way he knows how.

7. Puppies galore!

With all the rescue dogs we care for in our Dog Rescue project, new litters of puppies are inevitable. Aren’t they just being asked to be scooped up??

8. Dham … and Navann

And for his sixth and final appearance in the category, Navann is hanging out with his best friend, and mahout, Dham.

9. Tigger

Tigger was one of a litter of four rescued near Elephant Nature Park. She’s a playful office cat and is often seen with her tongue sticking out!

10. The happiest pup

To finish up our nominees of the cutest animal at Save Elephant Foundation, we’ve got this playful pup, happily enjoying life after being rescued.

Which is your favorite?

If you think you’ve caught a cuter picture of our beloved animals, post it to our Facebook page!

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