Elephant – The gentle giant
Elephants! The gentle giants have always fascinated Man, children clap with glee on seeing elephants whether it be in the zoo, circus or hauling heavy loads on the road. The association of Man and Elephant goes a long way back in history. Elephants were used as ‘working animals’ as far back as the Indus Valley Civilization (3300 BC – 1700 BC). Elephants have been part of many a war in history, the earliest reference of Elephants in warfare is found in the Indian Epic Mahabharata, written in the 4th Century BC, but said to depict events that occurred between the 11th and 8th Century BC.
However, the population of elephants across the world is dwindling because of the threats faced by poaching for Ivory and urbanization. The need of the hour is to ensure the safety and survival of these magnificent animals who are worshipped as God in many countries.
August, 12th is World Elephant Day, as conceived in 2011 by Canadian Filmmakers Patricia Slims and Michael Clark and a Thailand foundation as a bid to raise awareness to the threats faced by the Elephant worldwide.
Across the world, there are many ethical sanctuaries. Thailand has a number of Elephant sanctuaries like Elephant hills in Khao Sok National Park, Elephant Nature Park in Chiang Mai, Boon Lott’s Elephant Sanctuary etc. which today work for the care of elephants. We present to you here the unique must-visit sanctuary which is the Boon Lott’s Elephant Sanctuary.
Boon Lott’s Elephant Sanctuary
This sanctuary is situated in Northern Thailand and was founded by Katherine Connor in memory of a Baby Elephant named Boon Lott, which means ‘Survivor’ in Thai. The sanctuary is rendering yeoman service in rescuing and protecting elephants in Thailand from abuse and extinction. Visitors to the sanctuary can interact with the elephants in an environment of love and peace.
If you are inspired and want to say hello to the elephants of Boon Lott, please check them out here. If Wildlife excites you, why don’t you wake up in the wild.
Thanks for visiting our site Voyager – imvoyager.com and taking the time to read our post!
We’d love if you’d comment and share this post.
[shareaholic app=”share_buttons” id=”27413782″]
Just looked them up. It’s nice to see someone trying to help these sweet creatures. The things these animals go through just makes me so sad.
Very true Renne. We have seen some horrific videos on how these poor animals are tortured and feel sad that man fails to understand these creatures and these animals suffer at the hands of man! 🙁
I;ve heard mixed reviews of this place. Is it actually doing what it says?
I have read about this place and wish to visit in my next trip to Thailand. Ideally all wildlife should stay in forest with all the freedom they need.
I can’t imagine how it must be to be such a huge animal and need to be rescued to a confined area. While I’m so glad people are stepping up to offer protection, sanctuaries still break my heart, or it’s that we need them that breaks my heart. It’s a fine line.
True. I second your thought. Actual home for all the wild animals should be the forest where they can freely move around and be as they want to be.
Such sweet, intelligent animals! I loved seeing them on safari, a whole new level of admiration for them.
Very true Cathy. They are so huge yet so gentle.
WIll definitely try and visit this sanctuary when we are in Thailand next, probably around end of this year. Elephants are such amazing creatures!
Elephants are truly amazing! Glad to know you will be going to Thailand this year. Can’t wait to hear the stories Samiya. 🙂
Elephants are awesome. Sadly, I remember going to an Animal Safari park here in Canada as a kid and riding an elephant. The things we humans do to other animals for our own entertainment.
Have found this creature all around Kerala – in fact, one tusker on the road, holding up traffic. The Elephant camp at Dubare too, is a fun place to interact with them. I also, loved the Elephant orphanage in Sri Lanka…remember feeding a baby elephant, who was as tall as me (ha ha). Sigh! Thanks for bringing in these memories.
Elephants are definitely amazing creatures! I love them and I have never sat on one but I used to see their shows and at zoos but ever since I started travel blogging and learned the horrors of their abuse, I have stopped.
As far as elephant sanctuaries go, there are many in Chiang Mai. I wish I went to one.
Agree. We too do not want to hurt animals in any way. After all, they too have a life!
I love elephants! We have been on 2 African safaris and then just a safari in Sri Lanka seeing these gorgeous animals in the wild.
It’s so heartbreaking that humans were almost able to wipe out this majestic animal! I’m so happy that awareness is now much more prevalent. Hopefully one day these gentle giants will be able to roam free in their natural environments without any danger. Good thing these sanctuaries exist.
Wow, I haven’t seen an elephant in my entire life and reading this is like I wanted to meet them with my naked eyes. I will surely visit Thailand soon to see these giant elephants. Thank you so much for sharing.
I’m hoping to visit an elephant sanctuary in Sri Lanka. It was great to read about this place in Thailand. We need to take care of these gentle giants and ensure they are protected!
Elephants have always been my favourite animals. They seem so wise and gentle like you said! and also really wise – it’s such a shame that there are so few left and they’re endangered! Good on you for raising awareness about them!
When we were children, living in small towns, elephants were a rare treat and they seemed so wonderful to us. It’s sad they are being mistreated by human and they are nearing extinct. We all should do our part to preserve them, provide them with their natural habitat and just let them be
Makes me really sad when I know humans have been using these cute creatures for their own benefits – but worst when being a human we couldn’t do much! Thanks for spreading awareneSS..
It is so sad that such a beautiful animal is poached. Thanks to places like Boon Lott which ensure the safety and security of these animals in their natural habitat. We remember visiting a simial park called Kenyir Elephant Nature Reserve in Malaysia. We did get to interact with the elephants in their natural habitat.
I remember reading an article about the danger of Elephant, they are only a few left! And that sure saddens many of us. 🙁 But I am glad that there are still people who take good care of them. I haven’t seen one personally but I would love to be able to visit a certain place that has it! Hopefully, one day.
We learned so much about Elephants at a similar sanctuary in Malaysia. Like many, we were sadly ignorant of the plight of the elephants. The work of these sanctuaries are so important and we feel they should definitely be supported.