The Power of the Herd

For elephants, water is far more than a simple drink. It is a lifeline that supports their health, comfort, and happiness every single day. An adult elephant can drink 150 to 200 liters of water daily, but water plays an even greater role than hydration alone. Bathing and swimming are essential parts of an elephant’s natural routine. When elephants have the opportunity to bathe regularly, their skin stays hydrated, healthy, and smooth rather than dry and cracked.

At Elephant Nature Park, Thong Ae is known as a true social butterfly—an elephant whose warmth and curiosity allow her to float effortlessly from one herd to another. Each day, she moves across the fields with purpose and joy, checking in on friends, lifting spirits, and bringing a sense of connection wherever she goes.

Each year on March 13, Thailand observes Thai Elephant Day, a special occasion dedicated to honoring elephants, the country’s most iconic symbol, and raising awareness of the importance of protecting them for future generations. Elephants hold a deep place in Thailand’s history and culture. Intelligent, sensitive, and deeply social, they form strong family bonds and express remarkable empathy and affection within their herds. Their presence has long been woven into the story of the nation.

Mae Lanna and Sao Yai wander side by side through the forested hills, moving at their own unhurried pace. Years ago, this land behind Elephant Nature Park was leased from the local community and carefully restored into a flourishing natural forest where these elephants can roam and forage.

An elephant’s trunk is one of the most extraordinary structures in the animal kingdom. Far more than just a nose, it is a fusion of the upper lip and nose, composed of more than 40,000 muscle bundles that give it immense strength and astonishing precision.

Faa Mai is the guiding light of the Thong Ae family. Each morning brings a fresh spectacle of joy and excitement as they gather to greet the day. Trumpeting, trunk thumping, squeaks, and low rumbling echo across the valley. Some mornings, she breaks into an eager dash toward a mahout and on others, she races straight for the river—all in excitement for the day ahead.

Butterfly girl, Thong Ae, did a wonderful job as nanny, overseeing the little ones during playtime on the sand hill. They look so adorable as they control their slide down the loose earth, letting gravity do its thing.

Grandma Jarunee walks with a style that’s uniquely her own, each step filled with joyful purpose.

Khamla, in a typically graceful moment, ambitiously stretches out her trunk to reach for the juicy leaves while her close companion, Daoruang, leans lovingly into her side. Adorable behaviors like this spontaneously emerge when elephants feel calm and safe – free to explore their surroundings with curiosity and a sense of ease. Just as nature intended.