Please read for yourself how well Chang Yim is doing. Indeed, he is a most amazing individual and credit must be given to Karl as well, because without his depth of understanding and motivation to … [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...]
Khan Kluay update
I just received an email from Lucy Clark of WFFT, one of Khan Kluay’s target training partners. Lucy says, “Brilliant Bam is more brilliant than ever! We just had the most wonderful session with … [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 powerful team for elephants
We just reached our CHIPIN goal for my invitation to provide services at Elephants World. Thank you so much for making this change-of-plans possible. You are quite the elephant welfare team--there is … [Read more...]
Khan Kluay shows a softer side
I thought about renting a car on my next trip to Thailand but realized that would be silly because even though I would have convenient transportation at my finger tips, I would get lost everywhere I … [Read more...]
a special day for BLES visitors
The guests at BLES had a very educational experience today, their second day observing Mee Chok’s target training session and Pang Suai’s pedicure. In both cases they observed in silence, and later … [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...]
The TARGET of target training
A target is a tool -- a flexible pole with a spongy end -- used to shape behaviors. Its purpose is to create a focal point, a benign object for the elephant to focus on. To start, we touch Chang … [Read more...]
