Search

Chiang Mai's Most Responsible Animal Sanctuary

Chiang Mai's Most Responsible Animal Sanctuary
 

Bangkok might be the most-visited city in the world, but it's far from the only draw in Thailand.

Beyond the amazing food, glittering temples and famously friendly culture, the country has yet another precious commodity: its elephants.

And at Elephant Nature Park, an elephant rescue and rehabilitation center in the Chiang Mai countryside, you'll be surrounded by them.

Chiang Mai's Elephant Nature Park has rescued more than 200 elephants from the tourism and logging industries since its inception in the 1990s. Image: CineBeau.com/CNN
Chiang Mai's Elephant Nature Park has rescued more than 200 elephants from the tourism and logging industries since its inception in the 1990s. Image: CineBeau.com/CNN

 

Thailand has long been home to these beautiful beasts, but experts estimate the elephant population has dwindled to 3,000-4,000 (down from 100,000) over the past century.

That's where Elephant Nature Park comes in.

"I think it's very important to come here and care for elephants, rather than use the animals for entertainment," says park founder Sangdeaun. Image: CineBeau/CNN
"I think it's very important to come here and care for elephants, rather than use the animals for entertainment," says park founder Sangdeaun. Image: CineBeau/CNN

 

Located about 37 miles (60 kilometers) from Chiang Mai, the park has rescued more than 200 elephants from the tourism and logging industries since its inception in the 1990s.

"You know many tourists who have seen elephants in Thailand, they want to come and ride them," Sangdeaun "Lek" Chailert, founder of Elephant Nature Park, tells CNN. "But I think it's very important to come here and care for elephants, rather than use the animals for entertainment."

"Elephants teach me a lot," says Sangdeaun, pictured here with Quest. "They have this love that humans don't have. A love for life, unconditional love -- and this is what we have to learn from them." Image: CineBeau.com/CNN
"Elephants teach me a lot," says Sangdeaun, pictured here with Quest. "They have this love that humans don't have. A love for life, unconditional love -- and this is what we have to learn from them." Image: CineBeau.com/CNN

 

A Walk in the park

At the Elephant Nature Park, volunteers and visitors have an opportunity to interact with more than 70 elephants across the 250-acre grounds.

the elephants aren't shy when it's time for a snack. Image: Cinebeau.com/CNN
the elephants aren't shy when it's time for a snack. Image: Cinebeau.com/CNN

 

Instead of potentially harmful activities, such as rides, volunteers can participate in a variety of experiences, from bathing and feeding elephants, to following them on jungle treks. 

During half-day or overnight visits, travelers might meet Dok Geaw -- a baby elephant just born in May 2017 -- as well as Tilly, who was rescued from a trekking camp, and Sook Jai, who was once a street beggar in the city. 

During half-day or overnight visits, travelers might meet Dok Geaw -- a baby elephant just born in May -- as well as Tilly, who was rescued from a trekking camp. The park also offers seven-day volunteer experiences. Image: Cinebeau.com/CNN
During half-day or overnight visits, travelers might meet Dok Geaw -- a baby elephant just born in May -- as well as Tilly, who was rescued from a trekking camp. The park also offers seven-day volunteer experiences. Image: Cinebeau.com/CNN

The park also offers seven-day volunteer experiences.

"Elephants teach me a lot," says Sangdeaun. "They have this love that humans don't have. A love for life, unconditional love -- and this is what we have to learn from them."

 

 

Source : CNN Travel

Indah Gilang Pusparani

Indah is a researcher at Badan Perencanaan Pembangunan Penelitian dan Pengembangan Daerah Kota Cirebon (Regional Development Planning and Research Agency of Cirebon Municipality). She covers More international relations, tourism, and startups in Southeast Asia region and beyond. Indah graduated from MSc Development Administration and Planning from University College London, United Kingdom in 2015. She finished bachelor degree from International Relations from University of Indonesia in 2014, with two exchange programs in Political Science at National University of Singapore and New Media in Journalism at Ball State University, USA. She was awarded Diplomacy Award at Harvard World Model United Nations and named as Indonesian Gifted Researcher by Australian National University. She is Researcher at Regional Planning Board in Cirebon, West Java. She previously worked as Editor in Bening Communication, the Commonwealth Parliament Association UK, and diplomacy consulting firm Best Delegate LLC in USA. Less
View all posts

Terima kasih telah membaca sampai di sini