Sri Nuan (ศรีนวล)

Born around 1962, Mae Sri Nuan was rescued from Surin Province, along with Dok Ngern, in late 2005. She was brought to Elephant Nature Park to begin her recovery from the trauma of her past.

Sri Nuan’s life followed the tragic path of many elephants — forced to work in the logging industry, then in street begging, and later at a trekking camp giving rides to tourists day after day. Sri Nuan is blind in her left eye from a slingshot injury. After refusing to comply with her mahout’s commands, he fired the slingshot directly into her eye as punishment.

Though not necessarily the tallest, Sri Nuan is the largest female elephant at ENP, easily recognized by her massive head and very large ears. When she first arrived at the park, she spent most of her time with Dok Ngern and was a nanny to Dok Ngern’s first baby, Chang Yim, and later to her second baby, Dok Mai, when they were young. She also became a doting nanny to Wan Mai, and together with Wan Mai’s mother, Mae Mai, helped care for this playful little elephant during her early years at the park.

Despite her imposing size, she is very easy-going and loves being a nanny to the younger elephants at the sanctuary. Mae Sri Nuan’s maternal instincts shine through in her interactions, and she continues to be a guiding, gentle presence in the herd. Nowadays, she spends most of her time with Thong Ae’s family group, including Jenny, Lucky, and Faa Mai. Her quiet strength and affectionate nature make her one of the sanctuary’s most beloved elephants.