Elephants

We left Phi Phi on the morning ferry and went straight to the Phuket Elephant Sanctuary.  The sanctuary just opened two years ago and had only two elephants originally, but then took in three more in the past two months.  It's such a sad story to hear about how these animals have been abused, so this was a very illuminating visit and it received high marks from the students.

This is one of the newly saved elephants.  We were told she appears depressed and has little energy.  

She's around 68 years old (the elephant, not Ashley) and has very long eyelashes.  Notice the notch in the margin of her ear caused by the mahoot's hook and the wounds in front of her eyes, which were deliberately caused to enable the mahoot to control her.

She allowed us to be close to her throughout our encounter.

Another two elephants who have bonded to each other approached us.

This one has damage to her rear left leg from being chained throughout her life and a gunshot wound to the left shoulder.

She was curious about our group.

Both elephants readily accepted food from us.

Hli posing with the elephant.

Zoe bringing a wedge of watermelon.

The animals wandered away and swam across the pond as Zoe watches.

This was another surreal experience.  These elephants are not enclosed by fencing and can wander around as they please.  To be this close to these magnificent animals was a real privilege.