Elephants are a national symbol in Southeast Asia.
Woven into the cultural fabric of Asia, the animal was elevated to a special status upon Lord Buddha’s birth when, scriptures say, his mother dreamed a white elephant came to her with a lotus flower.
Practically though, the massive temples in Southeast Asia, staggering in size and monument were possible only with the strength and effort of elephants.
Historians estimate that over 6,000 elephants were used in the construction of the Angkor Wat complex in Siem Reap.
In the past young elephants were typically caged, beaten, and goaded with metal bullhooks to persuade them to submit to carrying passengers or perform circus tricks. Even fully trained captive elephants are sometimes hobbled with chains to prevent them from escaping or harming tourists. Sanctuaries rescue and care for these abused animals.
On a morning visit to the Elephant Jungle Sanctuary, an ethical elephant sanctuary near Chiang Mai, Thailand, I fell in love with these gentle, intuitive beasts. One of the best elephant sanctuaries, this haven has a track record of sustainable and ethical treatment that speaks for itself. Click the highlighted link for more information.
Trained English-speaking guides give visitors insight into the behavior and the personal history of these magnificent elephants and the mahouts help people realize incredible life experiences such as feeding and bathing with the elephants.
When I arrived at the Sanctuary, the guides gave us basic overview of the tour, information about the six females, four adults and two babies, housed in the encampment. We wore traditional clothing to feed and get to know them but changed into bathing suits for the messy, wet and fun part of the experience.
With the money raised from visits and donations, the Sanctuary can contribute to elephant welfare by rescuing them, caring for their needs and providing veterinary care, and a lot of love, for these beautiful creatures.