Probably the most thrilling part of our
trip was going to the Kanta Elephant Sanctuary an hour outside of
Chiang Mai in the north of Thailand. Chiang Mai itself is a wonderful place
and adding a visit with the elephants was an incredible experience. Elephants
used to work in the logging industry in Thailand moving huge logs
from place to place. Commercial logging was outlawed in 1989 and the elephant handlers, known as mahouts, were left with these giant animals to care for that no longer contributed to the
family income. The burgeoning tourist industry provided some income to the Thai
owners, but often elephants were mistreated and the owners lived below subsistence
level.
Sanctuaries were set up to buy the elephants and give them a
tranquil life and some financial relief to their owners. Many organizations promote the well-being
of the elephants and the proper running of these sanctuaries. Unfortunately, you still see places where elephant rides are promoted or where they’re chained and not given the freedom to
roam. Luckily, the Kanta Sanctuary allows none of that and the elephants spend
their days peacefully eating and walking, walking and eating in the forest,
with daily baths and a monthly visit from a veterinarian.
The Kanta
Sanctuary has 21 acres of forest, grazing land and rivers for 17 lucky
elephants. Each has his or her own Thai handler, who cares for the elephants
and gets them safely from place to place.
We arrived at the sanctuary in the morning and were told the program for the day and instructed in what I call elephant etiquette.
