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 sidewalk that has been set to full speed ahead.
Jon is progressing well. He no longer sports that heavy chain around his ankle and Piza has abandoned the long pole with a sharp nail in the end. Their relationship has grown in the short two months they have been together and deepened in the short time I have been here. It is beautiful to see both mahout and elephant relax and enjoy each other’s company. Piza wears a permanent smile, so proud of Jon and their accomplishments together.
Today Piza began playing the training game with Jon. When Piza asked Jon to approach and present his forehead, Jon froze in his tracks. He lowered his head in apprehension at hearing Piza’s voice and my heart sank. I was concerned that Jon would no longer trust me or the game and that in some way I had betrayed a sacred unspoken trust between us. But instinctively I knew that I must assist in the transition from me to Piza and that Jon had to trust that I would continue to protect him.
Piza was great. He didn’t understand a word of what I was saying to him but willingly allowed me to physically direct him so that Jon would relax and participate. It worked, and both Jon and Piza were fabulous. It was so sweet to watch Piza, who broke into cheers of congratulations when Jon presented a foot or ear. Concentration was thrown to the wind as Piza spun around beaming at his fellow mahouts, mimicking my “good boy, good boy.” What a joy!
In record time the two of them were playing like boys, on even ground, neither dominant, neither conscious of how important their time together in the training game would be for their future together.
I have noticed that Piza has softened a little with Jon. He is proud of him and praises him, something that I have never heard mahouts do without instruction. These two are a special team and together they are teaching me a great deal about how positive reinforcement training can enhance the lives of captive elephants and their mahouts in Asia.
After lunch we got a call: a two-year-old female elephant was found street begging. Her owner was arrested and sent to jail overnight; two mahouts would accompany her here to Elephants World, where the court mandates she will stay for one month. Good news, bad news — oh, it is so difficult.
Knowing that Som Kran will be in this place for a month under the supervision of caring people and off the city streets is a good thing, but it is distressing to know that once the 30-day penalty period is served she will return to her owner and her life of street begging. She is such a sweet baby, it is heartbreaking. The problem is that tourists are ignorant to the situation of street begging elephants. Feeding baby elephants brings in big money for owners. The tourists love it and the owners get rich.
I just learned that Som Boon has been moved to the hospital area because she has not deficated in two days, I will finish this entry later, and report back on how she is doing.
