Baan Chang Elephants

One of the few things I had my heart set on doing while in Thailand was visiting an Elephant rehab  center. I researched to find one of the best ones, one that is legit and humane. I found Baan Chang Elephant park to be just that. It was started by a fella with a concern for the elephant population and abuse in Thailand. They currently have 26 elephants. The money paid for the trips goes towards the elephants food, the mahout's (elephant trainers and caretakers) salary, and anything they have left over goes towards purchasing more land and in turn, more abused elephants.

Most of them were approachable. There were a few that were new to the facility and you could still feed them but only giving it to them in their trunks and not their mouths.

Here's looking at you!

Very handsome fella

Hungry!

While not being ridden and when they are all in the camp together, they are chained up and don't seem to mind. This is done so they will not attack each other or wander over to the neighbors farm and eat their produce. They are smart and will defend each other and their Mahout if they feel another elephant is threatening. Imagine fighting elephants... not easy to break up that fight!

Baby sniffing me :)

This little one above was so animated. She would sniff you all over and then use her trunk to give you kisses. She suctioned it to my neck and I thought she was going to give me a hickey! That would be one heck of a hickey, lol ;)

Sweetheart

This girl below was so sweet. We all practiced our mount, dismount and turns with her. She was so patient and in return, we each fed her a bunch of bananas and sugar cane. Notice how she sticks the whole bunch in her mouth at once :) Then she snaps that sugar cane that I'm holding, like a toothpick.

Lunch time!

Now that is one happy elephant! :)

Bananas and sugar cane

During practice, we learned the Mahout commands for stop, go, right, left and lay down. They are said and performed with force.
Non-long : Lay down
Kwey w/ left kick behind ear: turn right
Kwey w/ right kick behind ear: turn left
Pai with kicks behind both ears: Go
How! w/ both legs squeezing neck: Stop

When I say 'kick', know that the elephant barely feels this and is not offended or hurt. The elephant's skin is 3 inches thick in most places except for behind the ears where it is an inch.

Practicing commands

Sugar cane motivator ;)

Resting after training us ;)

Below is a video of an itchy elephant who is easy distracted by food. Elephant A.D.D. ? I can relate!

After training, we sat down for lunch which was plentiful and amazing! They told us to eat a lot because we were going to need the energy for our ride in the jungle that afternoon.

It was a beautiful day and we set out up the hill into the mountains.... Each elephant was accompanied by a Mahout. Jose was my trainer for the day :)

our group

Nice behind!

Up the mountain

Bathroom Break!

Our guide was so kind. He asked for everyone's camera's and ran around the whole time taking photos and video! Here's one of his video clips..

When we came down from the mountains, we dismounted and were given a lesson on bathing them while the Mahouts guided them to the water to cool off...

After our lesson, we were let loose :) The elephants were so happy to be laying in the water. Once in awhile they stood up, sucked in water and playfully squirt it at us :) So fun!!

Bath time!

Can you tell I was in seventh heaven? Nothing like scrubbing behind the ears of an elephant! lol 

If you ever get the chance to do this, don't hesitate. It was the best experience I had in Thailand. Next time I hope to be able to contribute more of my time and funds. It is a worthy cause and an experience I will never forget!