During our visit to Chiang Mai, we booked a full day tour called “Learning Elephant” at the Elephant Nature Park, located about an hour’s drive northwest of the city. For 2500 baht each (about $80), we were picked up from our hotel, provided a tasty lunch and snacks, and had a day filled with feeding, bathing and learning more about the Asian Elephant. It is tough to put into words how wonderful our day was – without the risk of sounding like an advertisement for the Park. Instead I’ve put together my top 10 pictures from the day, and hope that they inspire you to visit this majestic Park that is helping to preserve the future of elephants in Thailand.
During our visit to Chiang Mai, we booked a full day tour called “Learning Elephant” at the Elephant Nature Park, located about an hour’s drive northwest of the city. For 2500 baht each (about $80), we were picked up from our hotel, provided a tasty lunch and snacks, and had a day filled with feeding, bathing and learning more about the Asian Elephant. It is tough to put into words how wonderful our day was – without the risk of sounding like an advertisement for the Park. Instead I’ve put together my top 10 pictures from the day, and hope that they inspire you to visit this majestic Park that is helping to preserve the future of elephants in Thailand.
These beautiful eyes have such a sorrowful tale behind them. Most elephants at the Elephant Nature Park have been rescued from horrific situations. Now the elephants find peace, love and positive nurturing for the remainder of their lives.
Elephants eat A LOT of food! These pumpkins have been harvested by local farmers who supply much of the food used to feed the elephants. Supporting local farmers is another wonderful way the Park contributes to the local community.
A favourite snack – sweet watermelons.
This elephant is trying to show her mahout she wants more food, but the mahout’s disinterested look shows that she knows her elephant never stops wanting some treats!
Playtime for both the elephants and the visitors…no better way to cool down from the warm Thai sun.
There are over 300 dogs that live in the Elephant Nature Park – most strays and rescues, they are loved and well taken care of by the staff.
Caught in a mid afternoon thunderstorn, one of the mahouts seeks shelter.
The elephants didn’t seem to mind the rainstorm, but the thunder was unnerving. Most elephants sought out the comfort of their mahouts and went to find shelter.
The money that is raised by visitors to the park help to keep these beautiful creatures fed, sheltered, and healthy.
Navaan…the newest addition to the park. Born in late October 2012, Navaan was a surprise as no one knew her mother Sri Prae was pregnant!