Medo once lived with her two best friends, Mae Lanna and SaoYai. But the climb up the mountain eventually became too much for her and she developed friendships with SookJai (who has since passed away) and Gemsai, with whom she enjoys that company. She is a calm, easy-going elephant with an indomitable spirit, enjoying her life in the sanctuary of the park.
In spite of her injury (a dislocated knee), and with some distinct recovery due to the use of a prosthetic donated by David Casselman and the Gentle Giant team, look at Mae Mai and, if you can recall, compare her to the elephant who arrived here at ENP on Jan.28, 2021.
Sanmueng was rescued by Save Elephant Foundation on 10th of September 2022 and this update celebrates the 1st year of his release to freedom. SanMueng is a bull elephant taken from his mother’s care at the tender age of three and forced to perform at the Phuket Zoo. He was forced to “dance” to music, to play musical instruments and perform demeaning tricks for tourist’s entertainment. The lengthy performances were held up to three times a day and SanMeung was required to follow commands under the threat of a sharp “bullhook”.
Jaidee made it through all her years of service without any broken bones or dislocations but is blind in one eye and has minimal sight in the other. Jaidee is now ~76 years old. She can still move pretty fast for an old lady, which we have to be cautious of because she does not make friends readily. Her eye issues keep her mostly out of the sun and she goes for walks when the sun is setting.
Today Fhandee made her own little mud pit and in this video we can see how she slathered her body in protective mud. It is the rainy season when bugs flourish, and for all of our elephants, any protective layer on their skins can help them to enjoy their day and evening that much more.
Activists around the world became aware of the plight of Kaavan in 2015 after petitions and news articles began to circulate about the dire conditions in which he was languishing. It was reported that he was bound in chains for over two decades. Activists led by Cher fought for several years to free Kaavan from the zoo and bring him to sanctuary.
Since his rescue to Elephant Nature Park, SanMueng has become a calmer, more relaxed elephant, but still shows outward signs of the significant trauma experienced in his previous life. We hope that over time, loving kindness and care will bring SanMueng back to being a playful young Pachyderm, rather than be haunted by the human motivated playful behaviours of his past.
Witness the transformation for yourself in the heartwarming video below. We’re delighted to see MhoJae basking in the joy of her new life in the sanctuary of Elephant Nature Park, surrounded by love, support, and the companionship she deserves.
She was just a young girl 5 years old, separated from her mother and forced to perform in the circus. With a stubborn proud heart, she refused to comply, and she suffered more harm, shackled and beaten until the owner could do no more with her. She was so fortunate to find her life absorbed into and fostered by a large family group.
Rescued from a zoo in Pakistan, Kaavan was brought to Cambodia Wildlife Sanctuary and has a new lease on life. Kaavan enjoys the freedom of a 30-acre forest, with many ponds and watery play areas. He lives life now mostly on his own terms, with the dignity that befits an elephant.
Maliwan’s former life was one of neglect and abuse. Even her trunk had been slashed with a knife. She never knew kindness or even companionship. Since being rescued by Save Elephant Foundation and welcomed into the sanctuary of Elephant Nature Park, her life has totally changed. Maliwan loves the freedom of the park and especially the river! In the rainy season, the swollen Mae Taeng river is a source of great joy for Maliwan and she plays with reckless abandon while her friends patiently await for her on the pebbled shore.
We compiled highlight footage showcasing the two-year transformation of baby elephant Chaba after being brought to Elephant Nature Park. This clip vividly demonstrates the stark contrast in her health and condition before being rescued by Save Elephant Foundation and then her current health condition living in the sanctuary of Elephant Nature Park. We hope that elephant sanctuaries someday become a self-evident practice in the care and conservation of captive Asian elephants.
During a period of quarantine to adapt to their new environment, Mho Jae had the privilege of receiving an unrelenting visitor named SookSai, who sought the esteemed role of being nanny to the little boy, Sa Ngae. This is the first time that all three of them were able to be together outside of the quarantine area and were able to roam freely in a spacious area. Happy now to explore their surroundings, the three are building the bonds of trust and enjoying time well-spent together, especially when rolling in the mud pit during a heavy rain.
Below is a post originally posted by our founder Saengduean Lek Chailert to Save Elephant Foundation Facebook page 17 April 2019 – To all friends,
I would like to update you about Thong Ae. We finally got a positive answer from Thong Ae’s owner. We invited them to visit to observe ThongAe’s fortunate place within family, connecting with a strong bond to her nannies and others here at ENP.
Just the day after the traumatised young elephant arrived at Elephant Nature Park, MuayLek is being shown how to relax in the sanctuary of the park, meeting more of the herd, visiting the river, chatting with new friends and being showered with care and affection.