Submitted by Samantha May on the 2017 winter session program in Thailand and Myanmar sponsored by the Department of Leadership…
What a lot of people don’t know is that riding on an elephant’s back or going to places where they are used as entertainment can be extremely harmful to the animal’s health. With this i mind, our study abroad group searched for an experience that helped promote healthy living for these fantastic creatures. This mission brought us to the Elephant Rescue Park in Chiang Mai.
The Elephant Rescue Park was founded by a very passionate man who lives on his property with his family and three baby elephants. He bought them out of the entertainment industry with his own money and aims to give them the best home possible while spreading awareness on the dangers of the entertainment industry.
While there, we learned about the specific care and maintenance of the animals, fed them and got to take a walk through the jungle for the exercise time. After that, we all got to bathe them in a lake before saying farewell. Afterwards, we enjoyed a wonderful home cooked lunch with those who live on the property.
Overall, this experience gave me information than I ever knew about elephants, as well as observing how far one’s passion can take one. Elephant Rescue Park is such a wonderful organization and I will truly remember those moments with the elephants for a lifetime.