Finally the elephant pics!!! Seeing elephants around Chiang Mai is ultimately a huge tourist attraction – which in one way is fantastic for the local Karen people because it provides them with jobs, on the other hand most of the elephants are treated very, very poorly.
Hence I was very hesitant to go to a “sanctuary.” There isn’t a rule on what constitutes a sanctuary or not.
Anyway, I met a girl who helped start her own Elephant camp with a local Karen Village around 2 hours out of the city. The camp rescued 4 elephants from local circuses. Circuses are still very popular throughout the country. Previously while hiking, I’ve passed by “sanctuaries” and seen how abused some of the elephants are. I’ve seen people riding elephants and other elephants forced to be doing tricks. I saw a baby elephant with its face being painted by one person, while another person whipped it. Straight out of Dumbo.
That being said – I was very, very hesitant to visit the elephants. BUT since I found a good place I am so happy that I did!
The camp I went to is called Elephant Freedom Village – it just opened about 2 months ago. My friend is a vet tech and treats the elephants like her own pets. The 1st two elephants actually scared the crap outta me!
My friend and her coworker took me to a wide-open field and then banged a few bamboo sticks against a tree next to me. NEXT THING YOU KNOW – the elephants came SPRINTING down this hill and right to me with the basket of food!! I ended up just dropping the basket and screaming lol. think of a giant elephant running towards you sticking its big trunk in your face. I freaked.
But hey they’re happy! The baby elephant in the last pic was my absolute favorite. He’s currently being treated for malnourishment, but he is very playful and runs around and tries to wrestle! The relationship he has with the guy in the pic (part-owner), Non, is absolutely incredible and heartwarming. I ended up staying overnight and it was very relaxing and peaceful to get out of the city. Whoever visits me – I will be taking you here! It’s really a once in a lifetime experience.