The Elephant Rescue Sanctuary, located approximately 65 km from Chiang Mai in Thailand, is a place that gives us lessons on compassion and conservation. This sanctuary, founded by Saengduean Lek Chailert, is a haven for rescued elephants and a meaningful experience for those seeking to change the way we interact with these magnificent creatures.
Dark truth of the elephant tourism industry
Thailand is no stranger to the elephant industry. For years, these gentle giants were taken from the wild and were forcefully domesticated, mainly to work in logging camps and for tourism purposes. This domestication of wild elephants, called phajaan, is basically taming the wild elephants by use of violence and deprivation. The process is also called Elephant Crushing.
Elephant crushing often involved cages, harsh punishment or negative reinforcement. A more common term for this is breaking the elephant’s spirit.
Recognising the need for change, Saengduean Lek Chailert started Elephant Rescue Sanctuary, a safe home for elephants that were rescued from the tourism and logging industry.
What’s special about the Elephant Rescue Sanctuary?
It’s the commitment to practise ethical and responsible tourism. Visitors are welcomed to observe and interact with the elephants in a respectful and humane way.
- No elephant rides whatsoever: The Elephant Rescue Sanctuary does not offer elephant rides.
- Cook for elephants: Yes, you read that right. Visitors can cook for elephants their favourite ‘vitamin balls’ and even hand-feed them. Visitors can also help prepare sugarcanes for the elephants. It’s their dessert!
- Bathe the elephants: There is a river and a few ponds where visitors can play with the elephants. They love their water-time the most!
At present, the sanctuary is home to 10 elephants, including a few baby elephants as well. These elephants have been rescued from the tourism or logging industries, and each one of them has a heartbreaking story of survival. Life at this sanctuary is their recovery process.
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The Elephant Rescue Sanctuary can be a meaningful travel experience for visitors as it allows them to be a part of the conservation efforts. The aim of this sanctuary is not only to rescue the elephants in Thailand, but to spread the word about the conservation of these animals throughout Southeast Asia.
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There are three types of programmes at the Elephant Rescue Sanctuary – Half-Day Morning (1600 TBH per person), Half-Day Afternoon (1600 TBH per person), and Full Day (2500 TBH per person). All three programmes consist of activities like learning about the elephants, feeding them, taking them for a walk, bringing the elephants to bathe, playing with them in the river, lunch for visitors, and a shower and back to clean clothes. The full day programme has a little extra – making food for the elephants, singing bowl therapy, and a mud spa for the elephant.
- Can I ride elephants at the Elephant Rescue Sanctuary in Chiang Mai?
The Elephant Rescue Sanctuary does not offer elephant rides. Elephant rides are not allowed. - Are there age restrictions for visiting Elephant Rescue Sanctuary?
The park is open to visitors of all ages. - Can I interact with the elephants during my visit to Elephant Rescue Sanctuary?
Yes, visitors have the opportunity to interact with the elephants in a respectful and humane way. You can observe them, feed them, and even bathe them in the river.
