Trekking Tara limps home
21 Nov 07 by Lek Chailert
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”Tara”, meaning river, is the name of a 45
year old female elephant who had worked in tourist camps
offering elephant rides and was used to haul heavy logs. She had
injured her back when she was just 6 years old as a trekking
elephant and was then put back to work at a logging camp.
In 2005 she was sold to a trekking camp
and, again, was used for tourist elephant rides, working hard
every day. To carry the tourist on a heavy, back-mounted saddle
a thin mattress was placed between her skin and the seat. This
did not provide enough protection and soon her health became
worse as sores infected her tender back. She lost masses of
weight and was so ill that her owner thought that she would die.
He contacted Elephant Nature Park hoping to sell her. Meanwhile
he agreed to let her rest and recuperate at our park.
| We walked her from the trekking camp to the park and
her old mahout kept her company, and in chains, along
the way. When she arrived at the front gate of the park,
we asked the mahout to release her. Now unchained she
didn’t know how to walk properly. She looked around in
fear walking slowly and unsteadily. |
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This is common with elephants who have been
chained for long periods. They find it very hard to walk when
they are not hobbled.
After frustrating negotiations and the kind
help from our supporters we managed to reach a hard-fought
agreement with the owners.
Now Tara is learning to live as normal a
life as we can offer her. Her healing time has begun.
Thanks for the kind support of Single Rakins from World
Woman Working, Bert from Serengeti Foundation USA and all donors
who donated via both foundations. Their selfless generosity has
ensured the freedom and rehabilitation of Tara.
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Tara arriving to a park welcome
Tara meeting new friends
Lek offers comfort and reassurance to Tara |
