Elephant Nature Park

Newsletter - October 04

News & whispers from the Jungle

 In this issue:

• River wall Story

• Puppy love - another rescue

• Journal Updates

• Banana Time

Khum Min is still unsure how to deal with his new found popularity amongst the ladies. Tong Suk’s family seems to favour him most and the feeling is mutual.  He seems to find the young Mae Boon Na the most enticing, but the persistent Mae Keow is determined to capture his heart. A real elephant love triangle!

When they are all together, there is much touching and caressing and rumbling going down.  There have been a few occasions when he has come very close to consummating his manhood (to put it politely), but seems to be a bit shy.  Lack of confidence and performance anxiety is caused by the presences of three other females and the young, curious Tong Suk standing idly by. 

Hopefully someday he will have the opportunity to slip away with a willing lady to somewhere private with no audience.  Perhaps a night at Elephant Haven is in order?

River wall story

Last September floods flushed down from the mountain attacked our park and washed away a new building, over 10 acres of park-land and several big trees along the riverbank. Lek reported the damage to many local government officials asking for help, but it has taken a very long time for a response.  Finally, on 10th July 2004, the river department of the Northern region issued a permission permit for the park to start to build a river wall to protect the park against extreme flooding.  This September flood waters once again struck. The rains were stronger than last year; but thankfully the river wall stood up to the onslaught and both elephants and land were safe.

Thanks are in order for the huge and generous support from Mrs Connie Speigh from Santa Barbara California and Serengeti Foundation, Texas, Gem Travel and all volunteers who worked so hard to fill over 40,000 sand bags to make the river wall.   Elephant Nature park appreciates your generosity towards our herd.

The riverwall	Last years damage

Kwan Chang (Mahout) of the Month

[Kwan Chang = Mahout or elephant companion]

This title is awarded to the kwan chang who takes the best care of his elephant, providing them with ample food and attention.  This mahout also goes beyond the call of duty, helping with other elephants when needed and helping with other tasks around the park, often without being asked.  The chosen mahout of the month receives a pay bonus for his hard work, which we hope will inspire others to try for the title.

Kwan Chang of the Month

Three Puppies rescued - Doggone?

The parks dog population, at 33 canines strong, does not need to increase.  All have been rescued and given a home at the park. In contrast to their arrival condition all are now in good health. 

So what do you do when you see three tiny puppies, sickly, weak, malnourished and sleeping in the middle of the busy road? They were full of worms and fleas and a bad skin condition. 

Lek picked them up and took them home, She immediately set to work bathing, medicating and feeding the poor little blighters.  Five days later  they are holding their own as their health improves.  Where they will reside once they are in full health is not known at this time, but only a cold heart could have left them in the street to perish by the traffic.  If you live in Chiang Mai or Northern Thailand, can provide a good home for one (ore more or them), and want a lovely little puppy with a history please contact us.

Rainy Season, Really over this time?

September is finally over, the ground has dried completely and walking is once again easy.  After the big flood on 10th Sept, we have had only a few days of heavy rains, but still can’t be totally sure the monsoon won’t strike again.  Hopefully no surprises for us. May the season close with gently nightly showers to give our elephants grass and many newly planted trees that extra boost of nourishment as we enter the cold and dry seasons.

Journal Updates

Khun Min.

Thank goodness for Khum Min’s undiscriminating palate.  He can often be seen at other ele-feeds and rest areas, cleaning up their leftovers.  Now the workers are cutting down the grazing fields so they can grow back fresh and he literally runs out there every day to feast on the newly cut grass.  His favourite girl group noticed his dining pleasures and have now joined him in the task.

Boon Khum:

[Musth = a condition occurring in mature males. Not fully understood it is thought to be connected to sexual power]

When Boon Khum came out of musth and regained roaming privileges. He was, at first, a tad over self confident.  He moved quickly and purposefully and often tried to enter the personnel space of Khum Min or Max. His already fit Kwan Chang, Baat, elevated himself into an Olympic sprinter.  In the past weeks he has calmed down considerably and is returning to his pre-musth self.  Through the epitome of a fine bull elephant in his prime, the girls are a bit intimidated by him and, are thus  shy. He remains a loner with no ardent admirers at this time. (I'm sure there are a few readers who fully empathise!)

Mae Ta Keow (Mimi)

The shy and trouble Mae Ta Keow is flushed. The irresistible Nonami has forced his attentions towards her. Initially oblivious to her attitude he has broken her tough outer shell and melted the ice maiden. The little chap has melted her heart and she has been accepted by his mother, Mae Nual, as well.  Recently the three were seen standing together munching happily in the field, Nonami sheltered in the middle by Mon and new auntie.  The girls were squeaking and trumpeting, petting and putting their trunks in each others mouths, much like the other established family groups and pairs.

It warms our hearts to see Mae Ta Keow finally bonding after 7 long months at the park.    

Tong Suk:

Tong Suk Enjoys the Jungle Gym

Tong Suk, who does not have the same destructive playful habits as his young counterpart Hope. He usually chooses wrester ling as his entertainment of choice.  Recently, he has been seen enjoying the swinging tyres and improving on his kicking abilities.  Now he cannot walk passed without getting himself wrapped up in this new game,

Khum-Min amongst the ladies

Medical Report

• Soomboon and Khum Min are both receiving daily treatment on their front feet for minor nail and cuticle problems which we don’t want to worsen.  They are both showing improvements already. 

• Max is still receiving daily treatment for a chronic abscess he got during his transport here 18 months ago.

• Bhun Khun is still get the herbal medicine treatment from but his mahout after he out from Musth

                The beautiful eyelash of Max

Banana Time

The corn season have gone with the rainy season  , now banana season, but this year banana price are rising up  to be double price , because the local farmer have sold the green banana to the factory  to make banana crispy. Thanks for Dr. Bill Jordan from Defense wildlife UK for your care to sent the banana fund to our herd

Cat Corner

Stevie Blind Eyes but not blind heart

Stevie our well known, loveable cat with no eyes is the perfect father.  Recently one of our females (who has since been sprayed) had 3 kittens.  As they have grown Stevie has taken on an active part in the parenting.  On many occasions when we have gone up to the cat house to check on them, Mom is nowhere to be found and Stevie is in bed with the 3 babies, cleaning then and cuddling them protectively. He is such a proud father.  Other times he has been seen playing with them and you can tell just how much he really enjoys these kittens. A real modern cat!

The cutest thing was going up there one day to find the whole family lying in the box together, Mum, Stevie and the babies. Stevie is truly an uncommon father in the cat world.  If he could nurse these babies, he would.

Family bliss - cat style

 Special thanks goes to Masters Flower Essences for sending the Elephant Rescue Essence Kit. We have been using Banana Blossom on Mae Nual, Blackberry Blossom on Ma Keow and Pear Blossum on Boon Khum with good results.

Share Your Christmas with Elephants !!!!

From 01 October 04   Elephant Nature Park would like to promote "Save the elephants gift set"  For Christmas time send the love to your friends , family and  you have the care for elephants. Many more products, T-shirt hand paint by Lek for you to help us to buy food for our herd. See more details on:

..\shop\index.htm