Elephant Nature Park

A few years ago I went to an elephant park in Thailand and I hated every second. I felt guilty the whole time and I really regret going. Now I won't even go to a zoo (anywhere in the world) so I had assumed I wouldn't be seeing any elephants on this trip. However a few people mentioned an elephant sanctuary to me and after lots of research, it was clear that Elephant Nature Park really is a sanctuary and is worth the hefty ticket price.

It was set up in the 90s by a lady called Lek and they rescue abused, abandoned or injured elephants and care for them, letting them roam around the large park as naturally as possible. They currently have around 40 elephants and have room for about 20 more. It takes a staff of 70 people to care for them and that includes many international volunteers who pay a lot of money to help out.

We arrived before 10am, got to feed the elephants from a platform before going out in to the field to be with a herd. After lunch and a documentary about the commonplace (and mostly legal) cruelty, we got to go down to the river and help bathe an elephant. It was incredible.

There are four baby elephants, mostly born in the park and because they were never broken, they are more wild and mischievous. They show a lot more personality and it was a privilege to see up close (and not rehearsed through punishment like most 'cute' videos you've probably seen).

In the afternoon we ventured out further in to the park and spent some time with two different herds who had temporarily joined to let two infants play together.