I am back in Sauraha, feeling like I have come full circle. For the past week I have trimmed feet at the government center. The majority of elephants who have received pedicures are adult males used … [Read more...]
Lakshmipriya and Bishnu
I have spent the past several days observing Lakshmipriya and Bishnupriya, two young temple elephants living at an ashram in Mayapur, India. Thanks to the dedication of Hrimati Dasi, a lifetime … [Read more...]
Leaving Elephant’s World and Jon
Sitting in the passenger seat of the bright orange son tough (vehicle), the solo passenger bouncing down the dusty road, I left Elephant’s World. The tornado of emotion swirling inside made me dizzy, … [Read more...]
powerful lessons
What I have witnessed over the past 24 hours has been both heart wrenching and illuminating. Change is indeed the only constant we can depend on. Learning seems to come in a consistent formula -- two … [Read more...]
Jon and Piza
Feb 6 Today we experienced a major breakthrough with Jon’s training…I passed the training target over to Piza. Oh man, was it hard to stand back and let Piza make mistakes and see Jon struggle … [Read more...]
so much going on
Things are moving so fast it is hard to keep track of the daily occurrences. Exciting things are developing at lightning speed: contrary to the normal Thai time, it feels as if we are on a moving … [Read more...]
Jon’s progress
Jon was well rested for his morning training session. Clearly he had thought about what he wanted to accomplish today. The mahouts sat a short distance from the corral in intense silence. They are all … [Read more...]
a chance to help another calf in need
The drive from Kanchatanaburi to Elephants World took about 30 minutes, the scenery quickly changing from bustling city to serene country side. I noticed acres upon acres of cultivated elephant grass, … [Read more...]
Mee Chok and Pang Suai
Jan 24 It’s my first day back at BLES and I am over-the-moon excited about what has taken place. As promised, Katherine had a sturdy exercise/training pen constructed and a raised concrete platform … [Read more...]
Finishing up my work in Thailand
Tim Gorski of Rattle the Cage Productions spent all day yesterday at the Park, from sun up to sun down, documenting the relationship between Chang Yim and Karl, his mahout. I was thrilled when Tim … [Read more...]
A Blessed Way to Spend Christmas Morning
This afternoon I am leaving ENP for a few weeks. My travels will take me to Vietnam for nearly two weeks and then back to Thailand for a week at Boon Lott’s Elephant Sanctuary. So, as you might … [Read more...]
An added benefit of non-invasive research
Earlier this week I had the opportunity to visit two more elephant facilities in Thailand. Anantara, near the Golden Triangle, was my first stop. Although long, the bus trip north was well worth … [Read more...]
