March 21, 2018 - Such a day! When you travel, every now and then you are gifted with something unexpected and wonderful. We were talking with some expats 2 weeks ago and they told us about Wildlife Friends Foundation. It is one of only a handful of ethical elephant rescue operations in Thailand
Elephants are an issue here. There are around 3500 domesticated elephants in the country and an equal number wild. When the timber industry closed these animals had no where to go. So ‘Trekking Farms’ erupted all over the country where tourists pay a fee to ride these creatures and have them do tricks. We learned what they do to domesticate them is horrific by western standards
So we traveled two hours from Bangkok to visit the foundation. There is no riding here. No hooks. No tricks. You are treated to an education of how these animals were abused and the work of rehabilitation. There are hundreds of different animals here in addition to the 23 elephants. Most are being healed for an eventual return to the wild. Some have been so hurt, that they can never be released.
They are loved and cared for and we got to help. We were allowed to take them on their daily walk (No coercion - they willingly go.). No hooks. You shower them and get to feed them. They are bright, sensitive, have distinct personalities , and are surprisingly gentle.
It was a beautiful day and one Colleen and I will never forget.
Commentaires