The first thing we see when we arrive at the elephants park is the volunteers preparing breakfast for the elephants. Each elephant has a big tub of food for each feed as they eat 10% of their body weight every day!
The park tries to create as natural environment as possible, the elephants are free to roam amongst the water buffalo and 70+ dogs! They all seem to get along just fine. The elephants have all been rescued from logging or begging, most have physical and emotional problems. 'Lily' was an ex-drug addict who had been given amphetamine to make her work longer hours logging :-(
Our first task was to help with the morning feed. Mark was right in there with no fear as usual, Kate took her time as the trunks were a little scary. This elephant is called Jan Peng.
A little elephant chat maybe Mark lol!
Seems there leaving Mark out of this mothers meeting ;-)
Each elephant has its own Mahout which they become very attached to. They look after them all day and respond to their command. Elephants are very loyal and will do anything to please their mahouts. They do however get a little miffed if the other mahouts give orders to them lol!!
These 2 are some of the oldest residents, the elephant on the left is 80 years old!
After our lunch it was time for baths!!
The elephants go into the river and we help by throwing buckets of water over them.
You have to watch your back as they really do creep up behind you and move quite fast.
It was great fun and refreshing too!
Kate still keeping her distance but getting braver :-)
After the 'family' of elephants go down to the river for bathing. We watch from a platform as they are very protective over the baby elephants. The babies are 21 & 23 months. They are gorgeous and have a great time rolling around in the water.
After their wash they have a good old scratch before spraying themselves with mud again- a natural sunscreen.
We couldn't stop laughing at this baby scratching, he was getting himself into all sorts of positions!
Lastly for cuddles with the babies! Soo cute!!
The afternoon continued with some more feeding and bathing.
We watched a video about the park and the future hopes of the lady called Lek who had devoted her life to helping the elephants.
It was the most amazing day and we really did not want to leave :-(
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