Chiang Mai Elephants

On Sat we took an adventure tour into the mountains. It started with a hour long drive in the back of an open-sided pickup with the last bit almost a 4x4 route. The Elephant Camp has 4 Elephants ranging in age from 5 to 48 years. We were given clothes of a Mohout (elephant trainer) and then taught the commands to tell the Elephant when you wish to go back, forward or left/right.  'Toy' means go back, and you need to push back with your body, pining your legs around its neck.

Getting a kiss!















He then opened up to show me his teeth. Note the banana about to land in his mouth.
(coming from the right)

 Rob feeding the old lady!


Once the 4 of us had mastered this we took the Elephants for a ride up into the forrest. We sat on their necks with legs behind the ears. It was wonderful being up to high on these magnificent animals. Staying on was a bit tricky, both hands had to be on its head to steady yourself.  60 min later we ended up washing them in the river. They lay down and we were able to brush the mud off them. The young one loved rolling in the water. Rob and I cleaned the old female and she blew bubbles under the water with her trunk. The Elephants then walked off with their Mohouts 'trainers' into the woods to eat.

 Being so close to the old lady and looking into her eye, I felt sad. Where was her family, her herd? In Africa we are used to seeing them in herds, here that is not the case and they are used to earn money, they are working animals.

Although it was magic being with these animals I cant help feeling its wrong. They are kept for the entertainment of the tourists, and only perform for food and attention. They need to eat a huge amount every day so are always willing to 'work' for food. We saw no abuse to the animals and no marks on them. This camp was treating them well but there are many terrible stories of Elephant abuse in Thailand.
Would I do it again, no!

 Rob and I washing the old lady.