Chiang Mai Elephant Sanctuary 

 

When I was in Thailand, I had the privilege of visiting the Chiang Mai Elephant Sanctuary. Before my trip to Thailand, I researched several “Elephant Camps” where I questioned whether these Elephant were acquired as rescues. I didn’t want to visit any camps where Elephants were taken from the wild to serve as entertainment for tourists. I finally found the Chiang Mai Elephant Sanctuary.

The Chiang Mai Elephant Sanctuary is located deep in the mountains, far away from the other Elephant Camps. My driver picked me up at the hotel and transported me more than an hour outside of Chiang Mai, deep into the mountains. Our ride was long and a bit bumpy. The roads were unpaved and winded up through the lush, green mountains. We passed several homes of mountain people who had their clothes hung out to air dry on lines. The cattle grazed in the fields, and dogs were running freely.

 

 

Once we arrived, I was greeted by the owners and given an introduction about the Elephants.  He explained where each elephant was rescued from, how they are cared for, and the challenges the current elephant population faces. I also met the “mahouts,” the life-long caretakers for the elephant. They will care for these magnificent creatures for the rest of the animal’s life.

The older elephant, Mo La Po was so sweet and calm. She let me feed her with bananas – she loved them! Poor Mo La Po had a hard life as she was rescued from the Mae Hong Song province from a life of hard work in the logging industry. Now, she’s retired her in the Chiang Mai Elephant Sanctuary.

Then there were the youngsters, Mo Think and Mo Lae. It was such a delight watching them feed on the bamboo! 

 

Mo Think and Mo Lae

 

 

They let me hand-feed the elephants, pet them, and watch them bathe and frolick in the water.

It was a wonderful experience and a privilege to spend time with these majestic and beautiful creatures.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The Center even provided me with a nice lunch! 

 

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                      

 

 

I often write about Ethical Animal tourism and the importance of researching these sanctuaries before you visit. According to my guide, some of these sanctuaries capture elephants from the wild and pretend they’re rescuing the elephants to make money. It’s horrifying to know that these elephants are kidnapped, taken from their families with whom they have strong social bonds, and used as a form of entertainment under the auspice of “Ethical Animal Tours.”  The last thing I want to do is encourage this type of behavior by paying to attend one of these fake sanctuaries.

 

Please make sure you research any animal encounter to ensure it’s truly a conservation or rehabilitation facility.

 

 

Read more about:

Elephant Riding: Fun or Exploitation

 

The Dark Side of Animal Tours

 

Wildlife Tourism: What You Need to Know Before You Go 

 

Saving the Lives of Baby Elephants: Elephant Orphanages

 

Wildlife Adoptions Programs