tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-57049210670110110252024-03-13T23:17:10.695+07:00Asian Elephant StoriesA small effort to help these marvelous creatures regain their dignity.Jerry Nelsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14205179587203503931noreply@blogger.comBlogger59125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5704921067011011025.post-48778227914444849872013-01-29T10:03:00.000+07:002013-01-29T10:03:05.302+07:00Lek Stories – A Call for Contributions: <br />
<br />
Several days ago I came up with an idea for a project. Darrick thought it was a great idea so I mentioned it to Lek. Best predictions for this project include your help, and that’s why I’m writing today.<br />
<br />
<b><span style="font-size: large;">Very Brief Overview: </span></b><br />
<b><br /></b>
Assemble a collection of short stories about Sangduen “Lek” Chialert. I sincerely believe there are thousands of wonderful stories about Lek that should published. I only know a few and Lek would never champion such a project; self-flattery is not her style. That’s where you come in: Please submit your favorite story or stories! They will be your gift to Lek. Not interested? Read no further.<br />
<br />
Interested? Great! I love caring people who simply want to do the right thing. <br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0kBD6qEdphNnfd6reGPvBxaECCZnBwCm1wXD0zLZGnEyK3NrtYaEgQdMqN9F-4H7N7QEb3ZdEsAnGl0NJqV14iQl-rL0h2ePe-_r1syowiItpXqgh7RGb64QsC2VO-A-EsAS5l6ybh8cF/s1600/062010025.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="268" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0kBD6qEdphNnfd6reGPvBxaECCZnBwCm1wXD0zLZGnEyK3NrtYaEgQdMqN9F-4H7N7QEb3ZdEsAnGl0NJqV14iQl-rL0h2ePe-_r1syowiItpXqgh7RGb64QsC2VO-A-EsAS5l6ybh8cF/s400/062010025.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b><i>Lek and elephants - perfect love</i></b></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<b><span style="font-size: large;">Brief Overview:</span></b><br />
<b><br /></b>
<b>General: </b>The idea is to create a set of very short stories about Lek. Sources would include, but perhaps not be limited to:<br />
<br />
a. Short things that Lek has written available in the public domain. The story of the geese at ENP is a great example; in fact it was the inspiration for this project.<br />
<br />
b. PR material that is available<br />
<br />
c. News media pieces that are available<br />
<br />
d. Submissions from her fan base, Ambassadors, social media contacts etc.<br />
<br />
e. Other sources. Done reasonably well this project could take a life of it's own<br />
<br />
<b>Submission:</b> Original stories should be submitted directly to me. Please keep the text to 1,000 words or less and please include high resolution photographs as appropriate. Also please feel free to send copies of anything you have seen that you would like to see published.<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhRRf9u-v4SO8_yEWOZiyKJEWCYXtwCJJ8LgoQ-1Dqw3DYF9jZwNxeZnX84izpzb6nafTjjHCv7fdP3Wud0PWM1k2zymdfVlQaPqnIKLQ_i2il6J7r8gOG-esz0c6Y6lsgGvgYTlQT00gf_/s1600/20111121_@JN_310.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhRRf9u-v4SO8_yEWOZiyKJEWCYXtwCJJ8LgoQ-1Dqw3DYF9jZwNxeZnX84izpzb6nafTjjHCv7fdP3Wud0PWM1k2zymdfVlQaPqnIKLQ_i2il6J7r8gOG-esz0c6Y6lsgGvgYTlQT00gf_/s400/20111121_@JN_310.jpg" width="265" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b><i>Remember the Bangkok Floods? </i></b></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<b>Ownership: </b><br />
<ul>
<li>Care would be taken to give photo credits and author credit for each piece that is incorporated in the project.</li>
<li>Collection and assembly of permissions documents would be critical.</li>
<li>The book will include an extensive credits section.</li>
<li>The finished product will be given to Save Elephant Foundation for publication.</li>
</ul>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjdyqZ0T3JqSCPdKe9oHj9EMwdC264qWGmmcEDCAwWIdCZ0qlMdidpwgtBs6IqjwqcMawRbqbLk-C80p5JjsEonrLxCoaR3FBtPdgw0_5QvGtVJpfdkzxtiTEvVpPAeG-aTD3vdlHz-zNy1/s1600/20111118_@JN_0514.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="265" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjdyqZ0T3JqSCPdKe9oHj9EMwdC264qWGmmcEDCAwWIdCZ0qlMdidpwgtBs6IqjwqcMawRbqbLk-C80p5JjsEonrLxCoaR3FBtPdgw0_5QvGtVJpfdkzxtiTEvVpPAeG-aTD3vdlHz-zNy1/s400/20111118_@JN_0514.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b><i>No stranger to the media</i></b></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div>
<b>Financial Understanding:</b></div>
<ul>
<li>All proceeds from this project will go to Save Elephant Foundation.</li>
<li>I will accept no compensation for this project. </li>
<li>Contributors will not receive any compensation.</li>
<li>Expenses of printing will be the responsibility of the SEF.</li>
</ul>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjSKfTXwQAA0zY1xiUU_cevLsOdkMHStmwTMLJ-r5WrU33H2opyRd7rPuMVWRG3aRb1cnbbk0WBQIgNDVZZ-nqV9uGfuUAJRiABqfap2ERf2erv1V5e7Epr5JN974qMW2KT7j2jS5Y4YnNP/s1600/Police.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjSKfTXwQAA0zY1xiUU_cevLsOdkMHStmwTMLJ-r5WrU33H2opyRd7rPuMVWRG3aRb1cnbbk0WBQIgNDVZZ-nqV9uGfuUAJRiABqfap2ERf2erv1V5e7Epr5JN974qMW2KT7j2jS5Y4YnNP/s400/Police.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b><i>New friends and supporters</i></b></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div>
<b>Time Table:</b></div>
<ul>
<li>Accept contributions and gather information: February through August</li>
<li>Set Book Style: February</li>
<li>Finish Outline of Book Design: March</li>
<li>Book Design: March – September</li>
<li>Present Final Book Design: In time for Lek’s birthday.</li>
</ul>
<b>Rationale:</b> There is a lot of information available and there are many people who, I believe, would be interested. The book would be 'light' reading with photographs. As such it would not compete with existing and future biographies; it might even be used as source material at some future point in time. <br />
<br />
Abundant Blessings,<br />
<br />
Jerry Nelson<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />Jerry Nelsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14205179587203503931noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5704921067011011025.post-3511451247176367582012-11-09T13:43:00.000+07:002012-11-09T13:43:31.527+07:00Want Elephant News? <br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Gentle Reader, <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">A few months ago I fell into the habit of posting news
articles from other sources on my blog.
That turned out to be not a perfect decision; I’m taking those articles
down and returning to my original concept of all words and photo’s being mine.</span><o:p></o:p></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0nnQ-BQnE5HCaEMiJjdYRmQkHSNfA-YD7c3cQVrdtaI-oCwbr9mBH2B7yg40UZDANFn2-alQuG4BV5VZkuKl6PD9_QxYf4tGwxCY5TC5i43b1mvsurRnG2WGu-FC3M_FOE1BDmfhciueP/s1600/20111216_@JN_0056.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="265" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0nnQ-BQnE5HCaEMiJjdYRmQkHSNfA-YD7c3cQVrdtaI-oCwbr9mBH2B7yg40UZDANFn2-alQuG4BV5VZkuKl6PD9_QxYf4tGwxCY5TC5i43b1mvsurRnG2WGu-FC3M_FOE1BDmfhciueP/s400/20111216_@JN_0056.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Pangporrnsawan at TECC </td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">I stuck Pangpornsawan's picture in here just because I feel we have a connection. I'll be so grateful when she leaves hospital and goes to her new home. Should be another two months or so. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">If you want an excellent one stop source for elephant
related news I suggest you try Melissa Groo.
She does a sterling job of researching and disseminating elephant
related news. Below is the contact
information: <o:p></o:p></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Please see </span><a href="http://www.savetheelephants.org/" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Save the Elephants</a><span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Melissa Groo is their Elephants News Service Researcher. To subscribe to her news lists, just send an email to groo@elephantnews.org. with the subject: "Request African, Request Asian, or Request Both". I have learned so much about the plights of the Asian Elephant from this news list I must recommend it. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">By the way, this project is supported by the <a href="http://www.elephantconservation.org/">International Elephant Foundation</a></span><br />
<br />
Abundant Blessings,<br />
<br />
Jerry<br />
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
Jerry Nelsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14205179587203503931noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5704921067011011025.post-26539494032114419612012-11-04T10:32:00.000+07:002012-11-04T10:32:02.127+07:00Pinnawala Elephant Orphanage<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">Recently I had the opportunity to spend a few days in Sri
Lanka. Being me, I decided that I would
have to check out the Pinnawala Elephant Orphanage. I suspect that the trip advisor ratings say
more about the tourist than the place they rate. People who are animal activists and people
who are learned about the plight of the Asian Elephant will not like what they
find at Pinnawala. People who are happy
to see lot’s of elephants up close and just want to enjoy their vacation may
enjoy Pinnawala. Look at the trip
advisor rankings as of November 1, 2012:
44 people found it excellent, 51 very good, 25 average, 13 poor and 38
rated it as terrible. I will use
material from this article for my own review. The terrible count will then be 39. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
I have taken the liberty to cut and paste from a prominent
Srilankan tourist information website:<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b><br /></b></div>
<h4 style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;">
<span style="color: #ff3300; font-family: "Verdana","sans-serif"; font-size: 9.0pt;"><i>“The purpose of Pinnawala
(Pinnawela) Elephant Orphanage<o:p></o:p></i></span></h4>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<i><b> <span style="color: #424b5a; font-family: "Verdana","sans-serif"; font-size: 8.5pt; line-height: 115%;">The primary purpose of the orphanage has been to provide a
lifeline to the orphaned baby elephants and adult elephants lost in the
wilderness. In most of the occasions the mother of the orphaned baby elephants
had been killed; and then there have been accidents of baby elephants falling
into pits and losing out to the herd; and there were instances the mother
elephant had fallen into a pit and died leaving the baby elephant lost in the
jungle. There are instances of adult elephants being killed by farmers to
protect their paddy fields and crops resulting in baby elephants orphaned”.<o:p></o:p></span></b></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="color: #424b5a; font-family: "Verdana","sans-serif"; font-size: 8.5pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-language: TH; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><i><b>The Pinnawala Elephant Orphanage was
launched to provide the best possible opportunity to the sad victims of such
situations. The orphanage is fully geared to provide an environment of happy
and healthy life to the beasts”<o:p></o:p></b></i></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<b><br /></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<b><span style="color: #ff3300; font-family: "Verdana","sans-serif"; font-size: 9.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-language: TH; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><i>Captive breeding at Pinnawala (Pinnawela)
Elephant Orphanage<o:p></o:p></i></span></b></div>
<i><b><span style="color: #424b5a; font-family: "Verdana","sans-serif"; font-size: 8.5pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-language: TH; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-US;"><br />
The elephants at the Pinnawala (Pinnawela) Elephant Orphanage aren’t subjected
to any form of stress or threat at all and supported by a team of employees at
the orphanage numbering over 100 including a group of mahouts.<br />
<br />
The free movement of the herd within the 15-acre coconut grove of the orphanage
affords the opportunities to both sexes of elephants to get together and mate.
Maha Oya, the nearby river, where the elephants taken for bathing on daily
basis played a dominant role in this regard. In 1984, the first baby elephant
of </span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-language: TH; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-US;"><a href="http://www.lanka.com/sri-lanka/pinnawala-elephant-orphanage-in-sri-lanka-94.html"><span style="color: #424b5a; font-family: "Verdana","sans-serif"; font-size: 8.5pt; line-height: 115%;">Pinnawela</span></a></span></b></i><span style="color: #424b5a; font-family: "Verdana","sans-serif"; font-size: 8.5pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-language: TH; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-US;"><b><i> was
born. Today some of these orphans enjoy the good fortune of seeing their third
generation too born at the orphanage. ……….”</i><a href="file:///D:/BLOG_Text_Photos/Sri_Lanka_Photos_text/Pinnawala%20Elephant%20Orphanage.docx#_ftn1" name="_ftnref1" title=""><span class="MsoFootnoteReference"><!--[if !supportFootnotes]--><span class="MsoFootnoteReference"><span style="color: #424b5a; font-size: 8.5pt; line-height: 115%;"><i>[1]</i></span></span><!--[endif]--></span></a></b>
<!--[if !supportLineBreakNewLine]--><br />
<!--[endif]--></span>
<br />
<div>
<!--[if !supportFootnotes]--><br clear="all" />
<hr align="left" size="1" width="33%" />
<!--[endif]-->
<br />
<div id="ftn1">
<div class="MsoFootnoteText">
<a href="file:///D:/BLOG_Text_Photos/Sri_Lanka_Photos_text/Pinnawala%20Elephant%20Orphanage.docx#_ftnref1" name="_ftn1" title=""><span class="MsoFootnoteReference"><!--[if !supportFootnotes]--><span class="MsoFootnoteReference"><span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 10.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: "Cordia New"; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">[1]</span></span><!--[endif]--></span></a> <a href="http://www.lanka.com/sri-lanka/pinnawala-elephant-orphanage-in-sri-lanka-94.html">http://www.lanka.com/sri-lanka/pinnawala-elephant-orphanage-in-sri-lanka-94.html</a><o:p></o:p></div>
</div>
</div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">To the uninformed tourist this all sounds great. But is it?
I think not. I took the time to
do a little research and spoke to a couple of people before and after I visited this place. I find
contradictions especially with the claim that the elephants are free of any
form of stress or threat. Two different people </span><span style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">told me they had seen an “elephant crush” -- the small cage used for the breaking of baby elephants -- on
the property.</span><span style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"> </span><span style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">I was given conflicting
direction to it’s location and managed to get myself caught in an area “not
safe”.</span><span style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"> </span><span style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">The staff told me it wasn’t safe, but
the tone of their voices conveyed something I wouldn’t describe as concern for
my safety.</span><span style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"> I couldn't hep but notice the spears they were holding at port arms. </span><span style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">What else were they
hiding?</span><span style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"> </span><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">Bottom line is I didn't get any
pictures of the crush, but have every reason to believe the people who told me of it's existence. </span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<span style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">One of the same sources told me a story about a pair very
young baby elephants which were allegedly rescued from the jungle after their
parent abandoned them. Humans abandon
their young, elephants do not! I would
have loved to seen these babies, but as I said they were not available to
me. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br /></span>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiOGvHkxDpDVGFG3-vp9a69dO5Cl2c-vHEMAFiDumzRM8R7tY8I7Fv8Doh47dPifbg11zXwUeLvykKLD74fpUAt513QyGc9pvPAOkjyHlHQuyk0Cz90chPWBP_Jku6JERAI3RjjAuU7cREp/s1600/20121014_@JN_0069a.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiOGvHkxDpDVGFG3-vp9a69dO5Cl2c-vHEMAFiDumzRM8R7tY8I7Fv8Doh47dPifbg11zXwUeLvykKLD74fpUAt513QyGc9pvPAOkjyHlHQuyk0Cz90chPWBP_Jku6JERAI3RjjAuU7cREp/s400/20121014_@JN_0069a.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b><i>For my own safety</i></b></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">So, what did I see? First there is this old bull who apparently spends his days on a very short chain standing around so the tourists can touch him. (A tip is expected). This old boy is blind; no I didn’t even ask how that happened. His body is scarred and appears to have various sores. This elephant is neither happy nor healthy. May the casual tourist wake up. This is not something you want to see or show your children. The sight of this elephant had a grave effect on me. Why, I don't know. What I do know is that in addition to my usual anger I felt a deep sadness perhaps a clinical depression. Was I picking up his vibrations? Perhaps. I do know that I'm still effected when I see his images. </span><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"> </span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiT3ZGzPxAT1wmzqwBq_owa0wrFjULxyn0d_zK_4Bgwgt_buKtXsRV9Vvq8w62QeZtTB_GgbGOwOKx3-L06AwCOvRZt7ZVgGvcY9WGIphLAEsfbRSbMlSFBzSx3Xyo3W_jO130cMxjt_x2X/s1600/20121014_@JN_0032.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="424" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiT3ZGzPxAT1wmzqwBq_owa0wrFjULxyn0d_zK_4Bgwgt_buKtXsRV9Vvq8w62QeZtTB_GgbGOwOKx3-L06AwCOvRZt7ZVgGvcY9WGIphLAEsfbRSbMlSFBzSx3Xyo3W_jO130cMxjt_x2X/s640/20121014_@JN_0032.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiOE6_S3jEYb0lRtStAP84v3b50I6K79q8i-R-W_K1kEGi2PxMs7EqyQXXrpjLwuiFrve1lSjRPT1wwEqi8APB33EAE44eCqO7ebB8pp_pz6Fv6eE6T5KCc4rdxP9fUaIJ7W7QF99TtqZSV/s1600/20121014_@JN_0040.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="424" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiOE6_S3jEYb0lRtStAP84v3b50I6K79q8i-R-W_K1kEGi2PxMs7EqyQXXrpjLwuiFrve1lSjRPT1wwEqi8APB33EAE44eCqO7ebB8pp_pz6Fv6eE6T5KCc4rdxP9fUaIJ7W7QF99TtqZSV/s640/20121014_@JN_0040.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgCj2wpsNgTZMZuNArXWqIK-Q0gnnShCYv5PsnPSIhyphenhyphen0EHK7mOE4EewbEN8JBXxAJYxdbOeARAZY6iS87jHEzpPrNzjlCGOGzzJtyjazS2lFQbEVT8GrF5eofrueBUtsHyMZI_cXfsZaZwb/s1600/20121014_@JN_0041.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="424" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgCj2wpsNgTZMZuNArXWqIK-Q0gnnShCYv5PsnPSIhyphenhyphen0EHK7mOE4EewbEN8JBXxAJYxdbOeARAZY6iS87jHEzpPrNzjlCGOGzzJtyjazS2lFQbEVT8GrF5eofrueBUtsHyMZI_cXfsZaZwb/s640/20121014_@JN_0041.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption"><b style="font-size: 13px;"><i>Old Bull Elephant on Display. </i></b><br />
<b><i><span style="color: red; font-size: large;">I am so sad for him</span></i></b></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">The breeding / rescue program seems to be working.</span><span style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"> </span><span style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">They do have a lot of elephants and many of
them are young.</span><span style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"> </span><span style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">The website mentioned in
the footnote talks about bottle feeding as a main tourist event.</span><span style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"> </span><span style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">To me that means they have a steady supply of
infant elephants.</span><span style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"> </span><span style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Gentle Reader, you
decide if that’s a good thing or not.</span><span style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">
</span><span style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">I’ll keep my opinion toned down, other than to say I left there with a
very heavy heart.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br /></span>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjhZAqIYAwPjQP0BMI1g1ZIWfyNqDbx4LYjCGhsiku6unwuIDRQ_O2wFKGi5utMRJG-4aOkOYdqb2Y0Bgut1ZqUBgQVX0An8ioPewsTv4DqWxvu5sFocbttjDNQHCbnEq8yLyoMHkcumOXc/s1600/20121014_@JN_0046.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="265" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjhZAqIYAwPjQP0BMI1g1ZIWfyNqDbx4LYjCGhsiku6unwuIDRQ_O2wFKGi5utMRJG-4aOkOYdqb2Y0Bgut1ZqUBgQVX0An8ioPewsTv4DqWxvu5sFocbttjDNQHCbnEq8yLyoMHkcumOXc/s400/20121014_@JN_0046.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_tIJgcbtIaQ7gDn5UwNzLqUMJk1HsB5MLJBlcfeVVPRTmPXRoD_1FAfThaudkGCpj4I259tG6nrhFSjLOXzVAoKb38vRXVhVRtzDN_WGrXOgGE1iOnZe7vPfoud-U8296sVvxDxcUltw3/s1600/20121014_@JN_0050.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="265" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_tIJgcbtIaQ7gDn5UwNzLqUMJk1HsB5MLJBlcfeVVPRTmPXRoD_1FAfThaudkGCpj4I259tG6nrhFSjLOXzVAoKb38vRXVhVRtzDN_WGrXOgGE1iOnZe7vPfoud-U8296sVvxDxcUltw3/s400/20121014_@JN_0050.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjETzbcwyB2k7WGrMaeAX-wbfnEOsJ1qyLyAMrZcDdNSseBxREGW2hWbal7nSX3uNSDN7KSloIlshbFXy5IhEmlz26F1pL1AiPoIibArHVQyqjmIgJNZnZhxm8pFLyVUJvdUJVYku2xryd/s1600/20121014_@JN_0071.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="265" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjETzbcwyB2k7WGrMaeAX-wbfnEOsJ1qyLyAMrZcDdNSseBxREGW2hWbal7nSX3uNSDN7KSloIlshbFXy5IhEmlz26F1pL1AiPoIibArHVQyqjmIgJNZnZhxm8pFLyVUJvdUJVYku2xryd/s400/20121014_@JN_0071.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b><i>To the unschooled eye it looks pretty good</i></b></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Many elephants seem to be seriously underweight. Maybe they are sick, maybe not. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br /></span>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHD08DIlXa5i3xXFyDAkixJuAwn9u1dwJJ0unFzLkru8TA36WcJPUmvsrfA3r7gi0K1az9EEqI_vmNSpTw3Ro8CrrAWLFjHek_QXW1i2lh9mqI6GunHlMoWCR0P8qdACSIoI2M2BAPeCKi/s1600/20121014_@JN_0074.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHD08DIlXa5i3xXFyDAkixJuAwn9u1dwJJ0unFzLkru8TA36WcJPUmvsrfA3r7gi0K1az9EEqI_vmNSpTw3Ro8CrrAWLFjHek_QXW1i2lh9mqI6GunHlMoWCR0P8qdACSIoI2M2BAPeCKi/s400/20121014_@JN_0074.jpg" width="265" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZy2QPU-JvTE_NBs3WTC__hwJ4xihsOhkyMbuV3wRthyDLtpWUEfuhaWnU_l0TMhIsH6rvdWSZWAgqL31kvckSW3ZLAhe84KjFJSUux4m1wChpNrwRiidTEiYoXFEyOXWYVyAUjYJaMhqz/s1600/20121014_@JN_0075.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZy2QPU-JvTE_NBs3WTC__hwJ4xihsOhkyMbuV3wRthyDLtpWUEfuhaWnU_l0TMhIsH6rvdWSZWAgqL31kvckSW3ZLAhe84KjFJSUux4m1wChpNrwRiidTEiYoXFEyOXWYVyAUjYJaMhqz/s400/20121014_@JN_0075.jpg" width="265" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0QzjkSlvJekiEM3o-Sb69TbJvqiInMR3AFYISV1-hwEGyEW6GTDOxytJ3q6V37ONkM-nrLt2h7Owv8QDdi1xiVQ_WXSix42mqSA0T2USsO60LsgQtSl7aH05yf-JYJog3FgMRQXhBoRFc/s1600/20121014_@JN_0086.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="265" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0QzjkSlvJekiEM3o-Sb69TbJvqiInMR3AFYISV1-hwEGyEW6GTDOxytJ3q6V37ONkM-nrLt2h7Owv8QDdi1xiVQ_WXSix42mqSA0T2USsO60LsgQtSl7aH05yf-JYJog3FgMRQXhBoRFc/s400/20121014_@JN_0086.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">After leaving the orphanage we passed several elephant
camps. I saw one elephant that was in
such bad shape that I asked the driver to stop, walked back and took this
photograph. I cannot understand why
anyone would treat another living creature like this and I cannot understand
why people would pay good money to be close to such terrible abuse! Pathetic!
<o:p></o:p></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7uBpX78CaM1GxR1tMuIFvaXlCn3H2H9EmeyQzVCZ6H8iq5WGZDlXcxl-q4cPrbUX2JmKq1KqAm6DVfeoTtMaxvjpj7W1WnRhj_dyHNuGuYQFsAYpNGIPGHMNJtqIYAqyyAg4067bAs-OU/s1600/20121014_@JN_0116.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="265" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7uBpX78CaM1GxR1tMuIFvaXlCn3H2H9EmeyQzVCZ6H8iq5WGZDlXcxl-q4cPrbUX2JmKq1KqAm6DVfeoTtMaxvjpj7W1WnRhj_dyHNuGuYQFsAYpNGIPGHMNJtqIYAqyyAg4067bAs-OU/s400/20121014_@JN_0116.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b><i>Just down the road from the orphanage</i></b></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><b>I’ll close with a positive note. I’m told that there is work under way to
establish another, hopefully better, elephant sanctuary in Sri Lanka. The country does have a significant wild
elephant population and apparently there are people in their government who are
looking for better ways to care for their pachyderm population.</b> </span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">I have taken all my photographs, including the ones of
elephants, from Sri Lanka and posted them on <a href="http://s935.photobucket.com/albums/ad200/jnelson1944/Sri_Lanka_201210/">http://s935.photobucket.com/albums/ad200/jnelson1944/Sri_Lanka_201210/</a> There will be a couple of other articles
about Sri Lanka which I will post in <a href="http://www.jerrynelsonjournal.blogspot.com/">www.jerrynelsonjournal.blogspot.com</a> Look for them soon. </span><o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
Abundant Blessings, <o:p></o:p></div>
<div>
<!--[if !supportFootnotes]--><br clear="all" />
<hr align="left" size="1" width="33%" />
<!--[endif]-->
<br />
<div id="ftn1">
<div class="MsoFootnoteText">
<a href="file:///D:/BLOG_Text_Photos/Sri_Lanka_Photos_text/Pinnawala%20Elephant%20Orphanage.docx#_ftnref1" name="_ftn1" title=""><span class="MsoFootnoteReference"><!--[if !supportFootnotes]--><span class="MsoFootnoteReference"><span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 10.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: "Cordia New"; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">[1]</span></span><!--[endif]--></span></a> <a href="http://www.lanka.com/sri-lanka/pinnawala-elephant-orphanage-in-sri-lanka-94.html">http://www.lanka.com/sri-lanka/pinnawala-elephant-orphanage-in-sri-lanka-94.html</a><o:p></o:p></div>
</div>
</div>
Jerry Nelsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14205179587203503931noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5704921067011011025.post-29595634923838780622012-09-29T17:21:00.000+07:002012-09-29T17:21:08.751+07:00Day Tripper<br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Based on the length of their stay, one could argue that there are three categories of people who visit the Elephant Nature Park (ENP). Third there are the people who volunteer to work at the park for a week or two. Many of these fine people realize this is for them as a result of having visited the park for a shorter period of time. Second there are the overnight guests. They enjoy more time at the park and can avail themselves to a morning walk to observe the elephants on the ground. And first, there are the good people who go to ENP for a day trip. I lovingly call them the “Day Trippers”. Many of these people come back for an overnight visit and many return to volunteer for a week or more. I myself was introduced to ENP by way of a day trip. My life has never been the same from that day forward; much better, much fuller.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Two days ago I caught a ride to the ENP with the intention of hanging out and having lunch with a good friend. However I was so inspired by the people who rode on the van that I just had to write this. If you don’t know, a day trip to the ENP begins with being picked up at your hotel or guesthouse. I boarded at the ENP office and off we went to pick up the passengers. The driver made four stops and picked up people from five different countries: Australia, Brazil, China, England and Israel. This is the perfect group to accompany, photograph and write about.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgYjcJFm0s1NworRjHv43EyLlCerqec5H-lJ36xYP4tNTypdInCz9DFHpMO7BujoPEPiRpBpJN_PQLZ7kPmzcbPGyEsNBv9eI2k0DMUmCdCNBNTre5d19W8IzvVA4y6ZhT6nfZV7wiA9XFV/s1600/20120927_@JN_0002.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgYjcJFm0s1NworRjHv43EyLlCerqec5H-lJ36xYP4tNTypdInCz9DFHpMO7BujoPEPiRpBpJN_PQLZ7kPmzcbPGyEsNBv9eI2k0DMUmCdCNBNTre5d19W8IzvVA4y6ZhT6nfZV7wiA9XFV/s400/20120927_@JN_0002.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The group meets their first elephant</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLBE181Bds6Tl-h0VgwikUMniZRqou143zSc0YfBvvqmCUdPFhRSGSkSnMl5I1qPb0533zCJve76h6PtF22fTpko0w_iqrxOOa2fjM2UA2Za2Dp6NDuDCpdHG7ebN7nbrCg_y1185GU_XO/s1600/20120927_@JN_0028.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="265" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLBE181Bds6Tl-h0VgwikUMniZRqou143zSc0YfBvvqmCUdPFhRSGSkSnMl5I1qPb0533zCJve76h6PtF22fTpko0w_iqrxOOa2fjM2UA2Za2Dp6NDuDCpdHG7ebN7nbrCg_y1185GU_XO/s400/20120927_@JN_0028.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Wow she has a big trunk! </td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I managed to cull the photographs down to only 37 and then posted them at </span><a href="http://s935.photobucket.com/albums/ad200/jnelson1944/ENP_20120927" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">http://s935.photobucket.com/albums/ad200/jnelson1944/ENP_20120927</a><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">/ A special message to the group, if you want to print any of these please send me an email and I will give you a print size file. Please do not print from these internet size files. If you want to pay me for the photograph, don’t. Instead please make a contribution to Save Elephant Foundation. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">After picking up all the guests the van heads for the Elephant Nature Park, about an hour and a half journey. Our guide for the day was Bee. I always enjoy her narratives and observations. She’s truly a great guide. By the way her real name is ผึ้ง (Pung) which is Thai for bee. On the way a video is played which introduces the guests to the plight of the Asian Elephant and to the Elephant Nature Park.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjn8diBJyZIMDE7x7z9J4bw-XmMTqRZBYdVsqdtCc0Dr7bJb_Mc5S78YXirYDVww5Zcdr-3_5pGMFbVE2QEvjkyBBHruM-gYriysH0RObrXOO3V2D3hvODQWgR_dszLx4M2KOe7iDYj6qal/s1600/20120927_@JN_0083.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjn8diBJyZIMDE7x7z9J4bw-XmMTqRZBYdVsqdtCc0Dr7bJb_Mc5S78YXirYDVww5Zcdr-3_5pGMFbVE2QEvjkyBBHruM-gYriysH0RObrXOO3V2D3hvODQWgR_dszLx4M2KOe7iDYj6qal/s400/20120927_@JN_0083.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Bee at the Medical Clinic, she's holding<br />sample of elephant worms and dog worms.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgA76SWsz7VFBmqNRr5WGXbPyJpsGQo8J7x3MBJe48aW2jMHcu8nDnmoffD2WEZ6kdR5ijKjp9j04PaG0Ts0xqucyLnUwf_21MIJDp9vKDtnVPgJfzLbCv5H9652ig3uNt4zjA76Dy303jr/s1600/20120927_@JN_0243.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgA76SWsz7VFBmqNRr5WGXbPyJpsGQo8J7x3MBJe48aW2jMHcu8nDnmoffD2WEZ6kdR5ijKjp9j04PaG0Ts0xqucyLnUwf_21MIJDp9vKDtnVPgJfzLbCv5H9652ig3uNt4zjA76Dy303jr/s400/20120927_@JN_0243.jpg" width="265" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Bee and me at the river.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Once at the park we receive a brief safety briefing and an explanation of the days schedule, then it was off to see a few of the elephants. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgnwvX0hGlxHzpZOMFTDjFE30OCgpb8u0z2dg1GygFR08K2BiT5KMZ82bbkIpesTLwAydhxUxeH6XNNtkn0Xm2z8uq-fYP8HA6un7P17usILKrlKu2nnnMvAJQeqH6B-czwRkbf1GBxMnoc/s1600/20120927_@JN_0115.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="265" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgnwvX0hGlxHzpZOMFTDjFE30OCgpb8u0z2dg1GygFR08K2BiT5KMZ82bbkIpesTLwAydhxUxeH6XNNtkn0Xm2z8uq-fYP8HA6un7P17usILKrlKu2nnnMvAJQeqH6B-czwRkbf1GBxMnoc/s400/20120927_@JN_0115.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Hope was just passing by. He is the only elephant who has a mahout <br />who is allowed to ride him. Gwan & Hope are marvelous together.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjp5YmDvEfc0ZhwUxft-WyOKbJYSrtQDFdujZdvUz4ek5hW-S2Oo08z17dHp5Vae7-TdGd_Eb8eYtliG2Wjx4QUvAAB2XUNHG6MfPhbgzG2OgICZKQdB5QPaCi3ZrOAXNuSMrqxyuvmAWul/s1600/20120927_@JN_0133.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="265" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjp5YmDvEfc0ZhwUxft-WyOKbJYSrtQDFdujZdvUz4ek5hW-S2Oo08z17dHp5Vae7-TdGd_Eb8eYtliG2Wjx4QUvAAB2XUNHG6MfPhbgzG2OgICZKQdB5QPaCi3ZrOAXNuSMrqxyuvmAWul/s400/20120927_@JN_0133.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The group meets Darrick on the way to the medical center. </td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">About 11:30 we returned to the platform in time to help feed some of the elephants. Many come to the platform and enjoy being fed a basket of fruit and veggies by the guests. You might also want to know that not all of the elephants participate; some are still terrified of human contact (given their history, no one can blame them). </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiOvC23uL_RMZf8L0qIUT5EXeyimMIvoOYKcw7Sx3BnLx0YSMBwuHYgPf7YS4ABNlrKC7mcYIGbpF-v2Dvzgnd-TkLccPHTY-7La1ry0u0fbF-HZ4JPYLvT6BfkrTx9657AsGnrjiFPmsJu/s1600/20120927_@JN_0057.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="265" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiOvC23uL_RMZf8L0qIUT5EXeyimMIvoOYKcw7Sx3BnLx0YSMBwuHYgPf7YS4ABNlrKC7mcYIGbpF-v2Dvzgnd-TkLccPHTY-7La1ry0u0fbF-HZ4JPYLvT6BfkrTx9657AsGnrjiFPmsJu/s400/20120927_@JN_0057.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Oh goodie, banannas in the basket. </td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">12:00 noon is human feeding time. The lunch at the ENP is always a delicious vegetarian buffet. One day soon perhaps I’ll make a point of photographing some of the dishes. After lunch, around 1:00 pm the different groups are taken to the river and encouraged to help bathe some of the elephants. Our group had a great time! </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiyrRnhfzgHaqO1ZLpxm60zTLzlZQz_T8XSYJF1cSjVScDzGT6DXyj64WYdNJMibNc7X9O95y_35XuTO08pX9d_DldU2XtmkpcZlBfiKZjeDGb9iAomGEpcQy-WDiLw2k4uHUebZzSddZt_/s1600/20120927_@JN_0170.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="265" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiyrRnhfzgHaqO1ZLpxm60zTLzlZQz_T8XSYJF1cSjVScDzGT6DXyj64WYdNJMibNc7X9O95y_35XuTO08pX9d_DldU2XtmkpcZlBfiKZjeDGb9iAomGEpcQy-WDiLw2k4uHUebZzSddZt_/s400/20120927_@JN_0170.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhsjPHeiko9s1BaW2dcUh8Dgw6OZR9VDL2w9iinxK94W-WCdIX-yYPMk1z5GgRE5UuIDIQm86xCdg7G1-ARZXJlKb5P0m8sPmIwQ4MnfHWEoFSYa_-jUjAjKXg-HC751urvZB4FD_Lu4VCj/s1600/20120927_@JN_0205.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="265" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhsjPHeiko9s1BaW2dcUh8Dgw6OZR9VDL2w9iinxK94W-WCdIX-yYPMk1z5GgRE5UuIDIQm86xCdg7G1-ARZXJlKb5P0m8sPmIwQ4MnfHWEoFSYa_-jUjAjKXg-HC751urvZB4FD_Lu4VCj/s400/20120927_@JN_0205.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibZu5ABIbkoF_ylbV75sxmqpABheFc5ATjCV0PS-jymQRgAScvy3ZRuYyt9f_uCq0aEWkWNTzYhuzs-9ov4FiWOedMWKgs9tT96-JuKVpUkI_WFDDaf_GHbradZwVOujX6NZPKbJLkSvW2/s1600/20120927_@JN_0338.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="265" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibZu5ABIbkoF_ylbV75sxmqpABheFc5ATjCV0PS-jymQRgAScvy3ZRuYyt9f_uCq0aEWkWNTzYhuzs-9ov4FiWOedMWKgs9tT96-JuKVpUkI_WFDDaf_GHbradZwVOujX6NZPKbJLkSvW2/s400/20120927_@JN_0338.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Mong Dee and Sao Yai</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Somewhere in mid-afternoon the guests are asked to watch another video about the plight of the Asian Elephant. This one explains the torture the elephants go through as the start of their training to become tourist attractions. I’ve heard complaints that it’s too hard to see, but I believe ENP is correct in showing it. One part of ENP’s mission is to educate. Everyone is free to step out of the screening room at any time, as did my Australian friend the first day we went to the park.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">The remaining hour or so is spent as free time. Depending on the day and the weather, one might get another opportunity to get close to the elephants. This day there was a torrential rain. The elephants didn’t mind, but the people stayed under cover. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Depending on the day everyone climbs back on the van between 4:30 and 5:00 and heads back to Chiang Mai. Out of this group, at least one person has decided to return as a one week volunteer. All in all it was a great day, one in which I made some new friends, caught up with an old one and was able to think through a few things that had been muddling around in my brain.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Abundant Blessings,</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Jerry Nelson </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<br />
Jerry Nelsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14205179587203503931noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5704921067011011025.post-9688272815916803752012-09-04T20:55:00.001+07:002012-09-07T08:07:32.089+07:00It’s time to clear the air.<br />
Gentle Reader,<br />
<br />
Most of you know, but a few may not. Let's get clear. Asian Elephant Stories is my independent effort. The purpose of this blog has never changed from that which is stated on the header: “A small effort to help these magnificent creatures regain their dignity”. What I write here is not filtered or edited by anyone other than me. I try to choose my words carefully, but not so carefully that the message is lost in political correctness. I capitalize the entire phrase Asian Elephant to show respect; my late aunt Iza who was the Dean of English at Iowa State University would approve. Responsibility for errors, omissions and faux pas lay entirely with me.
<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgd3C4ahSQ8wxbd1IRKsSHMa1ttleuJLH52mH7PHi61s39AWR2TU9g17-zD2iSzNHZ_xl8-UoS5umuowPNhmb0YtEI9OHbfqkmzwfH5E9Al3H-htkLSJVhk_z3FEOzyrwCPGlamw_vOQ755/s1600/20120222%C2%A9jn_0307.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgd3C4ahSQ8wxbd1IRKsSHMa1ttleuJLH52mH7PHi61s39AWR2TU9g17-zD2iSzNHZ_xl8-UoS5umuowPNhmb0YtEI9OHbfqkmzwfH5E9Al3H-htkLSJVhk_z3FEOzyrwCPGlamw_vOQ755/s400/20120222%C2%A9jn_0307.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><h4>
A baby at ElefantAsia,
<span style="font-size: small; text-align: start;">Sayaboury Province,Laos</span></h4>
</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
This blog started this in August of 2010 with an article about street begging elephants. The street beggers have been gone from Chiang Mai for some time. However,I recently heard that they have again been spotted in Chiang Mai province. Sadly, there may be more on this subject in the near future.<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3_B0meSppdHBxKAs9FOwpH2Em6b8oC0OlKRLz3NrPWWSR6flXYqjRUzqVgUKtZPs6YWzRspisNL3z2jDILYZJb89pSBorL7ZxkvbXALkQeYBrLumjH-6TyYRvZHDrj-h_OQCrGsLmTdLC/s1600/20111118_@JN_0863.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3_B0meSppdHBxKAs9FOwpH2Em6b8oC0OlKRLz3NrPWWSR6flXYqjRUzqVgUKtZPs6YWzRspisNL3z2jDILYZJb89pSBorL7ZxkvbXALkQeYBrLumjH-6TyYRvZHDrj-h_OQCrGsLmTdLC/s400/20111118_@JN_0863.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Working the Street in Surin</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
I have to opportunity to do volunteer work, write for other publications and enjoy fairly easy access to captive elephants in Northern Thailand. I say “fairly” because accessibility seems to be based on the elephant owner’s attitude toward candid journalism. Although she is incredibly busy and often has to shuffle her attention between various media groups, Sangduen “Lek” Chialert always makes the media welcome. Naturally, much has been written about Save Elephant Foundation and Elephant Nature Park (ENP). I’ve written so much that some people think this blog is an extension of ENP. Wrong! Wrong! Wrong! Yes I’m a fan. No I do not offer my blog as a marketing tool. This blog and <a href="http://www.jerrynelsonjournal.blogspot.com/">Jerry Nelson’s Journal</a> are independent expressions.<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjEEXaEPYwshKK0FSjeLiqU8AzksJN-PgjghHXpVEPv0BLuvJMlGv2-5L7SgAFbLlzkO5cRqC3lQweipJhqmN1Szdf2Ivnxjs-hji3pXnawnHyq97H1hMvoZA0yWEuXlaCC9U9pm1rcuztZ/s1600/20120830_@JN_0307.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjEEXaEPYwshKK0FSjeLiqU8AzksJN-PgjghHXpVEPv0BLuvJMlGv2-5L7SgAFbLlzkO5cRqC3lQweipJhqmN1Szdf2Ivnxjs-hji3pXnawnHyq97H1hMvoZA0yWEuXlaCC9U9pm1rcuztZ/s400/20120830_@JN_0307.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Faa Mai follows, Lek leads</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
During a recent rather dark time in this wonderful countries history, I used this blog to re-transmit several articles written by others. I make no apologies, but at the same time can take no credit for any actual contributions. It’s time to get back to writing and in the future perhaps post more articles from other sources such as the tribute to Anthony Lawrence.<br />
<br />
My next article might be “The Elephant Ambassador Program”. I'm doing some research to ensure accuracy so don't expect anything for the next several days. I'm also beginning to gather more information on elephant street begging, the reported sightings keep coming in. I truly wish there was nothing to report, but that just isn't reality. Today's activity over on <a href="http://www.jerrynelsonjournal.blogspot.com/">Jerry Nelson's Journal</a>. is the posting of an article on the Symposium on Local Wisdom and Improving Quality of Life. Check it out.<br />
<br />
Abundant Blessings,<br />
<br />Jerry Nelsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14205179587203503931noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5704921067011011025.post-89856590225555296752012-07-30T12:52:00.000+07:002012-07-30T12:52:06.051+07:00Good News, Administrative Information & Sad News<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="background-color: black; color: #fff2cc; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Gentle Reader,<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="background-color: black; color: #fff2cc; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="background-color: black; color: #fff2cc; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">There is good news, administrative information and sad news regarding Save Elephant Foundation and her premier attraction, Elephant Nature Park.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="background-color: black; color: #fff2cc; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="background-color: black; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><b style="color: #fff2cc;"><i>Good News!</i></b><span style="color: #fff2cc;"> Save Elephant Foundation has a new “Official” Facebook page. Our social media leader just wrote me saying: </span><span class="apple-converted-space" style="color: #fff2cc;"><span style="line-height: 18px;"> </span></span><b style="color: #fff2cc;"><span style="line-height: 18px;">We have set up a new Facebook fan page and need to get some "likes" in order to get a vanity URL and begin to spread the word about all of the good we do, as well as raise awareness about animal welfare, conservation and more. If you have a moment, and don't mind, could you please head to this link and give the page a "like”? </span></b><span style="color: #fff2cc; line-height: 18px;">Please take moment and go to </span><span style="color: magenta; font-size: large;"><a href="https://www.facebook.com/pages/Save-Elephant-Foundation/148043088597809">Save-Elephant-Foundation</a> </span></span><span style="background-color: black; color: #fff2cc; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"> Please share this with your friends, and please pass this blog notice on as well. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="background-color: black; color: #fff2cc; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="background-color: black; color: #fff2cc;"><b style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><i>Administrative Information:</i></b><span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"> </span><span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"> Our new </span><span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"> </span><span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Public Relations and Social Media leader, Diana Edelman is on board and hard</span><span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"> at work.</span><span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"> </span><span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">There are more exciting
changes coming soon.</span><span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"> </span><span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Please stay tuned.</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="background-color: black; color: #fff2cc; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
</div>
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjrxRJJErwH0sLhndEVJK-VlcxP64EXepSzm7GJe8P87cJbRPCOSDZiYCmv2sGeM6_SLdX3sgzDYm0PCj9DcoPIRChDPSSbckKQVrnLg3DweCKK71tBCjCk3ymUDDceDibMQcRV2UA7Z5A7/s1600/20120717_%2540JN_0056.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="268" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjrxRJJErwH0sLhndEVJK-VlcxP64EXepSzm7GJe8P87cJbRPCOSDZiYCmv2sGeM6_SLdX3sgzDYm0PCj9DcoPIRChDPSSbckKQVrnLg3DweCKK71tBCjCk3ymUDDceDibMQcRV2UA7Z5A7/s400/20120717_%2540JN_0056.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Lek comforts for the baby! </td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEif2A5GCNQ4tsetWVfxqBtXnStstiI3sm_rdiCIWWYanWtAvEMUmvUbUTuOvsSBF6qZ8FhUlXCZL46jNL3RcukEO3IUwU8QYgjMp4wYp12n8KLw02RUs8YlOyeyrdYk7ZpGzV9QnDek6SzQ/s1600/20120717_%2540JN_0055.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="268" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEif2A5GCNQ4tsetWVfxqBtXnStstiI3sm_rdiCIWWYanWtAvEMUmvUbUTuOvsSBF6qZ8FhUlXCZL46jNL3RcukEO3IUwU8QYgjMp4wYp12n8KLw02RUs8YlOyeyrdYk7ZpGzV9QnDek6SzQ/s400/20120717_%2540JN_0055.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">When the dogs barked she would cover his ears and gently sign to him<br />This is love!<br /></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="background-color: black; color: #fff2cc; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><b><i>Sad News: </i></b>Save
Elephant Foundation rescued a newborn elephant who had been rejected by his
mother. He was brought to the park and
spent is short life being loved and nursed by staff and volunteers. For a couple of days it looked like he was
gaining strength and would survive. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="background-color: black; color: #fff2cc; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="background-color: black; color: #fff2cc; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">When I went to see him volunteers were tending him around
the clock. He certainly was well tended
during his short stay. H<span style="background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; line-height: 115%;">is mother, Mae
Kham</span>, was brought to the park in an attempt to re-unite the two. When I was there a few days ago she was close
to the baby’s pen and seemed interested in him.
Staff and volunteers were taking milk from her and feeding it to the
baby. Lek came and spent days and nights with him. Volunteers watched over him 24 hours a day, taking 3 hour shifts. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="background-color: black; color: #fff2cc; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="background-color: black; color: #fff2cc; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Sadly, </span><span style="background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; line-height: 115%;"><span style="background-color: black; color: #fff2cc; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">the little guy
made his transition late Saturday afternoon. There was a ceremony and he was
buried at ENP on Sunday morning. Just
this morning, one good friend reminded me that Save Elephant Foundation did not
own the baby. Had he survived the owners would have taken him back to their
village; at least now he will never have to suffer the phajaan. Could her own tortured past be the reason
that Mae Kham chose to kill her own children? The best we can hope for is that Mae Kham’s
owners don’t’ try to breed her in the future.</span><span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: Tahoma, sans-serif; font-size: 10pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; line-height: 115%;"><span style="background-color: black; color: #fff2cc; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br /></span></span></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgv-CJdeQ2bRXb8-hdzEN87ouCZR9vpDrkHdRyoi7sQnWHTBejTcX7JGpfbjTW0ZaZOpiDa_P7CB_639XHFDMB5ns7pkvGROpsRvJOMdkEjx-H1Ku1AjgSM8Xa0RdFa7US1WMijY-z9yOGA/s1600/20120717_%2540JN_0096.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="429" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgv-CJdeQ2bRXb8-hdzEN87ouCZR9vpDrkHdRyoi7sQnWHTBejTcX7JGpfbjTW0ZaZOpiDa_P7CB_639XHFDMB5ns7pkvGROpsRvJOMdkEjx-H1Ku1AjgSM8Xa0RdFa7US1WMijY-z9yOGA/s640/20120717_%2540JN_0096.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Rest in Peace, Little Elephant, you are loved! </td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; line-height: 115%;"><span style="background-color: black; color: #fff2cc; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; line-height: 115%;"><span style="background-color: black; color: #fff2cc; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br /></span></span></div>Jerry Nelsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14205179587203503931noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5704921067011011025.post-13747116428309352822012-07-18T16:57:00.000+07:002012-07-18T16:57:37.256+07:00Progress with Pang Pornsawan<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
I had the opportunity to visit Pang Pornsawan today. She is doing well, very well actually. I could never describe the progress she has
made other than to show you photographs of then and now. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXyB6q4sp0lGouTnmy0OAbSGmGXftRBG3En4CigKp6kb6tRGv6aRYCuvSCeBz5EMDhgQsy7zn8kpof31atDWsf2Xap2eEZhILTlkunr9PI6PPQwI_f1GS5127maJRutZ66KnLAFEe1cnP2/s1600/Aug312011.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXyB6q4sp0lGouTnmy0OAbSGmGXftRBG3En4CigKp6kb6tRGv6aRYCuvSCeBz5EMDhgQsy7zn8kpof31atDWsf2Xap2eEZhILTlkunr9PI6PPQwI_f1GS5127maJRutZ66KnLAFEe1cnP2/s400/Aug312011.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b><i>31 August 2011, taken just before we put her on the truck to Lampang</i></b><br /></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgF1laX6Gh3qD8qmz1hXLhF4UoheKF871hERJ4fuAeM8DRRmDWZqnddafKSilkc8owQfEXBJif1uhdMXxvEXusiOrsa54i-OV_JYBIHrrRn7wqthcwijUSrkncD89PD5hltoSqAAGJ4z_yV/s1600/Dec162011.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="265" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgF1laX6Gh3qD8qmz1hXLhF4UoheKF871hERJ4fuAeM8DRRmDWZqnddafKSilkc8owQfEXBJif1uhdMXxvEXusiOrsa54i-OV_JYBIHrrRn7wqthcwijUSrkncD89PD5hltoSqAAGJ4z_yV/s400/Dec162011.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b><i>16 December 2011, TECC Elephant Hospital, Lampang</i></b></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_z4y3N6vGZmb4mdm1c_JkcXrcSLGuqAL8MaToe8PV0w_k22ZjdlsyvTpQ0rGFgrbb5Qv5Gi44bBoqg1YSjfDhPseSgvAzyaLruGayUmvifD41AszxmtLi6Un5VBB885lA03ZQztt9k1jU/s1600/20120718_@JN_0009.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="268" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_z4y3N6vGZmb4mdm1c_JkcXrcSLGuqAL8MaToe8PV0w_k22ZjdlsyvTpQ0rGFgrbb5Qv5Gi44bBoqg1YSjfDhPseSgvAzyaLruGayUmvifD41AszxmtLi6Un5VBB885lA03ZQztt9k1jU/s400/20120718_@JN_0009.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b><i>18 July 2012, TECC Elephant Hospital, Lampang</i></b></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="MsoNormal">
I'm so very grateful for the doctors and staff at TECC who take excellent care of Pang, and all the elephants in their care. I'm also very grateful to all the people involved in her rescue, her hospitilalization and her future! </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
The amazing thing is that Pang maintains a very sweet
disposition. She and I have a connection
that I really can’t explain. Just trust
me when I tell you that she knows me and we both know that I care deeply about
her. I have a sense that she really
enjoys my company. Never, never tell me that she should have been put down, or that she is just an animal. Pang Pornsawan is a magical creature who is loving and very intelligent.<o:p></o:p></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbWvGNCdHVuJkyI1MlhoE4mydyI5lTe75qTmpiFz3250D1xiINe8WeFYyXYaw3i-_v4JCSowkCTTrgbB6pGTFefmMmZUzB2c9m2UM7wR4OYVG22GPPXzgcJhXCEvJsBUYN98ghyphenhyphenZy0MMlj/s1600/20120718_@JN_0010.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbWvGNCdHVuJkyI1MlhoE4mydyI5lTe75qTmpiFz3250D1xiINe8WeFYyXYaw3i-_v4JCSowkCTTrgbB6pGTFefmMmZUzB2c9m2UM7wR4OYVG22GPPXzgcJhXCEvJsBUYN98ghyphenhyphenZy0MMlj/s400/20120718_@JN_0010.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b><i>Pang and me, 18 July 2012, Tecc Elephant Hospital, Lampang</i></b></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="background-color: black; color: white;">What will the future bring?
Well when all the raw red coloring is gone from her wound she will come
to the Elephant Nature Park and there spend the rest of her days. An estimate I was given today was we are
about 6 months out. I’m so looking
forward to that day; hopefully I’ll be allowed to ride with her on the final
leg of her journey from that minefield so far away!</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="background-color: black; color: white;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="background-color: black; color: white;">Abundant Blessings, </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="background-color: black; color: white;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="background-color: black; color: white;">Jerry</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>Jerry Nelsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14205179587203503931noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5704921067011011025.post-5367531156915908582012-04-06T14:34:00.000+07:002012-04-15T12:48:04.748+07:00The Animal Activist Alliance is Alive!<br />
Gentle Reader,<br />
<br />
<b><i>"The greatness of a nation can be judged by the way its animals are treated"</i></b>. Since Mahatama Ghandi is the one who made that statement I'll accept it as truth. An alliance of animal lovers has been formed here in Thailand. The vast majority of their membership and their leadership is Thai; a few foreigners have been allowed to join and participate. I hope they will consider me a member.<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
This new organization is called Animal Activist Alliance (AAA) Thailand. They are bent on improving Thailand's status in the world by improving the way animals are treated in this great nation. I stand with them.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9Di8bN4k5WcTk9VsDxcsiUxvkOMdHWWl7KurG-kC4tCgzkvmTFZIVrZtnAL_I-jOeou3rxluovdWbjdsCYgZ-z9ubPWJWh8OhYqsOloK18Ha-MndpHtHNwgrkA2lZjM7OqmIWCm1OuPZE/s1600/20120405%C2%A9jn_0053.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9Di8bN4k5WcTk9VsDxcsiUxvkOMdHWWl7KurG-kC4tCgzkvmTFZIVrZtnAL_I-jOeou3rxluovdWbjdsCYgZ-z9ubPWJWh8OhYqsOloK18Ha-MndpHtHNwgrkA2lZjM7OqmIWCm1OuPZE/s400/20120405%C2%A9jn_0053.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
Mahatama Ghandi also said "Even if you are a minority of one, the truth is still the truth". Well gentle reader AAA held it's first official activity today (April 5, 2012) and from what I saw they had between 200 and 300 in attendance. In my opinion they speak the truth. Their first activity was a quiet protest held outside Gate #3 of The parliament, ironically the gate is across the street from a zoo. The demonstration was well organized, and well covered by the press. Symbolism, and signs were the order of the day. The crowd was well behaved; there were no blaring loudspeakers.<br />
<br />
<b><i><span style="color: #93c47d;">Very Important Addition: On 11 April, AAA released an 11 minute video which does an excellent job of explaining the aims of the alliance, the activities of the day and the wonderful reception by the Thai Parliament. It's in Thai, except for a few short interviews in English. Watch it anyway, it's really well done. The version with English sub-titles is finished! Please see:</span></i></b><br />
<b><i><br /></i></b><br />
<b><i><a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=g9izC1bj3wQ">AAA Demonstration Video - English Version</a></i></b><br />
<br />
<a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YgwezIhZyTo&feature=share">AAA Video - Thai Language</a><br />
<br />
<br />
Their press release stated that "The AAA is a newly formed alliance in Thailand with the objective of pushing for animal protection laws in Thailand, the introduction of animal rights and the stop to animal torture. The Alliance currently has more than 30 member groups and organizations....." <br />
The press release also listed the main objectives for the demonstration as:<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiaRFEa52zwFEG_OP03tVrCPzNjG0rEZtRiGVjL2OmI8OnCOVwkeCkqwgA0HNCbPbiL2JzSQHFJ-bZVfbKC7KHXJAVwbC8WEdIQ5Y9A0AuE6GIjSEn5gdS_LA3sEsUtG-pjZQ_4wc4vLtM8/s1600/by+Fran+Vickor.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="265" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiaRFEa52zwFEG_OP03tVrCPzNjG0rEZtRiGVjL2OmI8OnCOVwkeCkqwgA0HNCbPbiL2JzSQHFJ-bZVfbKC7KHXJAVwbC8WEdIQ5Y9A0AuE6GIjSEn5gdS_LA3sEsUtG-pjZQ_4wc4vLtM8/s400/by+Fran+Vickor.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b><i><span style="color: red;">Photo by Fran Victor</span></i></b></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
"1. To show the concern of the Thai People for the lives of animals and their wellbeing in Thailand, whit handing over a petition with 10,000 signatures for a law proposal to parliament.<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgfJuFaYrYULHcto_QUJTRkVMK__tatuzmhnefVbdtCk_fpnNMEajBeKpcw0p-E4VvHmWt44RbQ1TZ5_hcOOl2FkKnENA3Ocw7GTrdmzr3hUsXnxY60h4KCCIY2AX5Bxbsr3UZcjkSfzz-R/s1600/IMG_7894.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="225" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgfJuFaYrYULHcto_QUJTRkVMK__tatuzmhnefVbdtCk_fpnNMEajBeKpcw0p-E4VvHmWt44RbQ1TZ5_hcOOl2FkKnENA3Ocw7GTrdmzr3hUsXnxY60h4KCCIY2AX5Bxbsr3UZcjkSfzz-R/s400/IMG_7894.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b><i>At the Parliament<br /><span style="color: red;">Photo by Annelie Langerak</span></i></b><br />
<b><i><span style="color: red;"><br /></span></i></b></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
"2. To inform and educate the Thai public on animal welfare issues and to ask for more public support.<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjzTeBf9uM3zymWbAyBSYCpJvuYmdKMiwpGNVEOQqPkWaKiKH_tGn56No_3UqxdGTGvBoU4mX2_zn4pp1j1w7WRhAQa9m2kw5rNK0_TWEQJ_OCPPquelufJIT7U0IG2pWye9B5XcgVbv2Lz/s1600/IMG_7983.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="225" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjzTeBf9uM3zymWbAyBSYCpJvuYmdKMiwpGNVEOQqPkWaKiKH_tGn56No_3UqxdGTGvBoU4mX2_zn4pp1j1w7WRhAQa9m2kw5rNK0_TWEQJ_OCPPquelufJIT7U0IG2pWye9B5XcgVbv2Lz/s400/IMG_7983.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b><i>The People Do Care<br /><span style="color: red;">Photo by Annelie Langerak</span></i></b></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
"3. To present evidence of animal torture that has been kept secret until this day.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhkilGlRnYRCSqBBtEmng0Rl8NUJlaOhXERTQLpkjulPRNK98dW_2Vo95XF5zkP9ktQmK9TWYZ33tqipBjDUOT7h_ccwxOrnFgz9k6NSbGrO2ydqw7lq_djcd5db9RM0LjVdTbh3ZJxB_bP/s1600/20120405%C2%A9jn_0150.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhkilGlRnYRCSqBBtEmng0Rl8NUJlaOhXERTQLpkjulPRNK98dW_2Vo95XF5zkP9ktQmK9TWYZ33tqipBjDUOT7h_ccwxOrnFgz9k6NSbGrO2ydqw7lq_djcd5db9RM0LjVdTbh3ZJxB_bP/s400/20120405%C2%A9jn_0150.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
"4. To show the international media and public that Thai citizen do care about animal wellbeing and animal rights.<br />
<br />
<b><i>Below is a link that, in my mind proves that the Thai media has taken this seriously and now the whole world will know about the butchery of innocent dogs! It will stop, I'm sure! </i></b><br />
<a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wB8BJB8T87A&feature=share">Bangkok Channel 3 News Clip</a><br />
<br />
<b><i>The clip below is from Channel 3 News interview of AAA members during the evening news on April 5.</i></b><br />
<br />
<a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=k-MYn13vQ1o&feature=youtube_gdata_player">Channel 3 Evening News Clip</a><br />
<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2_ui2E2KfGeTn-TZ8Km-VKZuHsgvaWwKLUBvEyXdLAf03a3pypG3OKqT-6UgksYxQ3pxiuZfxXnTqKdzrb-7sR2KrLiEIhJe8K3A2nz_CnP_7Ue5ungtFHnTuUAku2XnDIqIBbuP1xgYK/s1600/Police.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2_ui2E2KfGeTn-TZ8Km-VKZuHsgvaWwKLUBvEyXdLAf03a3pypG3OKqT-6UgksYxQ3pxiuZfxXnTqKdzrb-7sR2KrLiEIhJe8K3A2nz_CnP_7Ue5ungtFHnTuUAku2XnDIqIBbuP1xgYK/s400/Police.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b><i>Lek with a few of the local police<br /><span style="color: red;">Photo by Patpampami Varoungsurat</span></i></b></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
"5. To make government and the citizen of Thailand understand the problems animals in Thailand face and to present a solution in the form of animal welfare laws presented by several popular Thai celebrities".<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4qTye2zSNaxGBlAv1KbeC9MVHbV_5dk8034PbgOJnrgR6gElU5eTOJLeAkvqoG5upMt_kKqBCUCQ9Uh7H76LTloac_ehrff6a5z2SRRLsfu86Grfek47uzCMndjCdUBmliNn4_vtjl9Dg/s1600/20120405%C2%A9jn_0187.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="265" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4qTye2zSNaxGBlAv1KbeC9MVHbV_5dk8034PbgOJnrgR6gElU5eTOJLeAkvqoG5upMt_kKqBCUCQ9Uh7H76LTloac_ehrff6a5z2SRRLsfu86Grfek47uzCMndjCdUBmliNn4_vtjl9Dg/s400/20120405%C2%A9jn_0187.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br />
<br /></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
There have been unrelated tragedies in Thailand of late that tell me the time has come for the Animal Activist Alliance (AAA) Thailand. Animal confiscations and the politics involved have taken a huge share of Thai media time lately. The story of the dog meat trade is causing revulsion in both the local community and the international media. The Thai are a gentle people who will avoid conflict and always want to take the middle way. The AAA will, I hope, widen the middle way and make it possible for the law makers to consider passing laws that will protect animals in Thailand. The April 5th demonstration was an excellent start!<br />
<br />
Some of the feelings were best expressed by the signs people carried.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhyrBT8_kXXR2sVFAWIBHScvEDzP8rBEr4g7NZ_LzUl5kl0uuRXTaqW73EXj5XeAyy5SbHUstsA5PgcVTUgfKEctCeyGfG8QdNB-vDjGBU9zgwVoJUTPk_bhRk90s_JyXQC_-EPfGb8vDOM/s1600/20120405%C2%A9jn_0009.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="265" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhyrBT8_kXXR2sVFAWIBHScvEDzP8rBEr4g7NZ_LzUl5kl0uuRXTaqW73EXj5XeAyy5SbHUstsA5PgcVTUgfKEctCeyGfG8QdNB-vDjGBU9zgwVoJUTPk_bhRk90s_JyXQC_-EPfGb8vDOM/s400/20120405%C2%A9jn_0009.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0jlBCAmAAQ5GmvhYGi96rWhoOK__RzgfmRJPbkprPJy-JYcN_YhkLi2ntkgyC9HnXQgR_FkrUzysf5QzybAwLybG1OM2ks746NeVGbrjYeMDjO0NYgORSSMEYSR8hCpM5TW7z9oApLw6O/s1600/20120405%C2%A9jn_0096v.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0jlBCAmAAQ5GmvhYGi96rWhoOK__RzgfmRJPbkprPJy-JYcN_YhkLi2ntkgyC9HnXQgR_FkrUzysf5QzybAwLybG1OM2ks746NeVGbrjYeMDjO0NYgORSSMEYSR8hCpM5TW7z9oApLw6O/s400/20120405%C2%A9jn_0096v.jpg" width="266" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhFAppBC8nzAaurDXoJ6GTcMZNyr5bqE7JaPH-FuHj7UCUML0JMC9mai0gPsmCjqhyphenhyphenyBKrcCYkskvCRAmtoGcwp9gi5sV0YD5MxtUgkCXgAV8mXjkVZXgzqtJCOAlEWix7B8dAT457qSd2w/s1600/20120405%C2%A9jn_0139.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhFAppBC8nzAaurDXoJ6GTcMZNyr5bqE7JaPH-FuHj7UCUML0JMC9mai0gPsmCjqhyphenhyphenyBKrcCYkskvCRAmtoGcwp9gi5sV0YD5MxtUgkCXgAV8mXjkVZXgzqtJCOAlEWix7B8dAT457qSd2w/s400/20120405%C2%A9jn_0139.jpg" width="266" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgV56O5EY5sUFE9SQT_ioOibRDUSLRF9ImLnU90sDxO5SXgQFuP7-hDaqWAG0GcJDzxZcFA9Ko3Vl9O87ECkti6DN39E-HI-M2j82K76vHtifOnbRenTJ2Hvi-C6JKNsqtu4mBWzQl3-RaN/s1600/20120405%C2%A9jn_0299.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="265" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgV56O5EY5sUFE9SQT_ioOibRDUSLRF9ImLnU90sDxO5SXgQFuP7-hDaqWAG0GcJDzxZcFA9Ko3Vl9O87ECkti6DN39E-HI-M2j82K76vHtifOnbRenTJ2Hvi-C6JKNsqtu4mBWzQl3-RaN/s400/20120405%C2%A9jn_0299.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
Both sides of the street were lined with AAA volunteers with signs, masks and costumes (at least until a labor group showed up with their huge loudspeakers which they aimed at the parliament building; at that point AAA retreated to the zoo side of the street). <br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiaHVw7fSJDzlqhGOrvzmREBVuGrqL3SyTiVMZrm0Db8XZUDVFdij7HGd5WQwqOuoC6O9J3498bdovH39mXQUSrwPK_mzlXZrFy5DajFtelsNRQevw94mnbVVG2NjAu4iS8f_Byhe-lndjQ/s1600/20120405%C2%A9jn_0297.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiaHVw7fSJDzlqhGOrvzmREBVuGrqL3SyTiVMZrm0Db8XZUDVFdij7HGd5WQwqOuoC6O9J3498bdovH39mXQUSrwPK_mzlXZrFy5DajFtelsNRQevw94mnbVVG2NjAu4iS8f_Byhe-lndjQ/s400/20120405%C2%A9jn_0297.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i><b>The truck speakers pointed at the Parliament Building</b></i></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
Symbolism included cages, chains and at least one bull hook. <br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5MOQzud1Y46VQbfdWxRXBA58eoF-RUiU2LGlwzRRnIletJV9BIru3soBU735P4wC5Dz2166s5EuRedCAVbEK6H-V4Zuh4nGaK_z7xTvtePHYssdC8OTcs2QI4qscK5dbneMKIM_NyhQUh/s1600/20120405%C2%A9jn_0037.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5MOQzud1Y46VQbfdWxRXBA58eoF-RUiU2LGlwzRRnIletJV9BIru3soBU735P4wC5Dz2166s5EuRedCAVbEK6H-V4Zuh4nGaK_z7xTvtePHYssdC8OTcs2QI4qscK5dbneMKIM_NyhQUh/s400/20120405%C2%A9jn_0037.jpg" width="265" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b><i>A fact of life for the captive elephant! </i></b></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgpNSClGu5klsjeaH1JWW-hgqo8Trg1VGRp1dEgTFkeL6L-RijlgFeoNOxQcvv4F2NB50VquOEdUaHAd0DHAnNlbDB9VV_Z_UY22Cj5HDoy_jZ9NHIFugc02lo7NyIz0nwsAZuR6-nWpxoA/s1600/20120405%C2%A9jn_0143.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgpNSClGu5klsjeaH1JWW-hgqo8Trg1VGRp1dEgTFkeL6L-RijlgFeoNOxQcvv4F2NB50VquOEdUaHAd0DHAnNlbDB9VV_Z_UY22Cj5HDoy_jZ9NHIFugc02lo7NyIz0nwsAZuR6-nWpxoA/s400/20120405%C2%A9jn_0143.jpg" width="266" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b><i>Chains are for slaves!</i></b> </td></tr>
</tbody></table>
Please allow a brief look into my personal past and my personal views. Some years ago I had the honor of serving as a Court Appointed Special Advocate (CASA) in the dependency court system back in the States. The CASA volunteer is appointed by the court to watch over the child as he or she is jostled by opposing sides in a legal battle that determines the child’s future. At one point in my first case, the child’s father yelled at me – “Whose side are you on anyway”? My calm answer – I’m on the side of the child. Recently I have been asked by opposing sides of an issue with elephants the same question: “Whose side am I on”? Let me be very clear and very direct here. <b> I am on the side of the animals, especially the elephants. Period!</b><br />
<br />
<br />
Change begins with you and with me. Often, our choice of words make a big difference. For me I will never again own a dog, cat or other living animal. Rather, I will consider myself as their guardian. Just that shift in vocabulary can have an impressive effect in how one behaves toward his or her animal. For more on this see: <a href="http://www.guardiancampaign.com/">The Guardian Campaign </a> One of the signs I saw yesterday brings this point home:: "Family not Grocery". <br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEisgAQIk4yuctzUAqs_7n7HenDk01FUW8zFF566IMjR3NYa-aPQjwprdzsk3fBnNltSI9b5QoF_rJz3l2o0rkafwTSloF3QUvhUrwcRPXdki6e7fy-KU3lu-pP8Wrr3KTs9O9GWHGI3U6dM/s1600/20120405%C2%A9jn_0109.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="265" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEisgAQIk4yuctzUAqs_7n7HenDk01FUW8zFF566IMjR3NYa-aPQjwprdzsk3fBnNltSI9b5QoF_rJz3l2o0rkafwTSloF3QUvhUrwcRPXdki6e7fy-KU3lu-pP8Wrr3KTs9O9GWHGI3U6dM/s400/20120405%C2%A9jn_0109.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b><i>Works for me! </i></b></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<a href="http://s935.photobucket.com/albums/ad200/jnelson1944/AAA_20120405/">April 5 Demonstration Photos</a> has a collection of my photographs from the first important activity by the Animal Activist Alliance (AAA) Thailand. Usually my articles include only my photographs; however the members of AAA have been posting a lot of great shots. I thank my fellow members for making this a better article! Hopefully I have the photo credits right! I’m sure there will be follow up stories, but I have no idea when.<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
Abundant Blessings,<br />
<br />Jerry Nelsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14205179587203503931noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5704921067011011025.post-15606208876701950492012-03-23T18:36:00.001+07:002012-03-25T05:52:26.252+07:00Observation and Questions - a Day at TECC<br />
A day at TECC is usually very pleasant. I did get a chance to visit with Pangpornsawan for a few moments. She is doing very well and the TECC staff still fret when I want to get close enough to touch her. Hey, they are just doing their job.<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7jaOS4QjVKC9pgfzVGJQPt0D0EWI92fyz5v5D6h2b2uyWo2S8uRj_NVWW-OiN__Szu0bd4N7-NNG6gskkpSJkzoR-xcLhwgaP3ToOUdVg1-fbs2z0HND_Jrw5TfKuNJs5cZPvNrRdlIqC/s1600/20120322%C2%A9jn_0001.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7jaOS4QjVKC9pgfzVGJQPt0D0EWI92fyz5v5D6h2b2uyWo2S8uRj_NVWW-OiN__Szu0bd4N7-NNG6gskkpSJkzoR-xcLhwgaP3ToOUdVg1-fbs2z0HND_Jrw5TfKuNJs5cZPvNrRdlIqC/s400/20120322%C2%A9jn_0001.jpg" width="265" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b><i>Pangpornsawan 22 March 2012</i></b></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
Other than the quick visit with Pang, yesterday was taxing to say the least. There are more questions and fewer answers. I will preference this by sharing with you that I have made a commitment to do more research before I write anything that could be called definitive, anything with any sort of a conclusion. I do not know enough about TECC and to that end I have<b><span style="color: #e06666;"> been granted </span></b>an interview with Richard Lair who has been involved with Thai elephants for some 27 years. He is affiliated with the Thai Elephant Conservation Center. I have also made a commitment to personally visit Saiyok Elephant Park in Kanchanaburi. It was from them that 19 elephants were confiscated. They also own the two baby elephants that were confiscated from Phuket.<br />
<br />
In the morning I met Khun Chaiyapong Sandee and his family. The original intent of the trip to to TECC was to visit their elephants and see how are they doing since they were moved here. However, they had learned through unofficial channels that one of their elephants had died. They were at TECC to learn the circumstances surrounding the death of one of their elephants, to visit the surviving elephants and work on having their elephants returned.<br />
<br />
When he got to TECC office, he was officially informed about the death of his elephant. Sri Thong was a very healthy about 17 year old female who died at approximately 5:00 a.m. on March 20th. According to one of the attorneys who spoke with a doctor at TECC, She passed at 5:00 a.m., an autopsy was performed at 5:00 p.m. Tissue samples were sent to a university in Chiang Mai; results are expected in a week. I also learned she was buried that same day. According to an article posted on www.thairath.co.th at about 3:00 a.m. today TECC had reported the death to the local police. No details of the death were included in the article. However, it did say that if it’s determined that the elephant was illegal, the government will have no requirement to compensate for her loss. A family member told me that they have never received any official notification of Sri Thong’s death; that they learned of it through word of mouth. The family had a meeting with TECC officials, were provided with some information but seemed to leave with a lot of unanswered questions. One thing they are requesting if a copy of the video of the autopsy. I am told that request is still pending. Needless to say there are more unanswered questions surrounding this poor elephant and her demise.<br />
<br />
I went with Khun Chaiyaphong Sandee and his family to visit the other elephants. There is a mother and a calf about 1 year old who seem to be in pretty good shape. At least they are together. The two babies who were confiscated from Phuket are about 2 years old. They are in a pen together, both on short chains. 10 elephants are under a long shelter, 3 under a separate shelter and the remaining 3 were in a nearby forest. My Thai is not that good, but as I understand it there is a lot of concern about these elephants not having enough food, enough water, exercise or shelter. What I observed was that the 13 in shelters did not have food or water near them. Clearly the elephants and the people were stressed. The weather was hot and emotions ran high. Khun Chaiyaphong is very worried about the rest of his elephants, worried that they could be become ill or die if they have to remain at TECC. He is working to have the rest of his elephants returned.<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhUe53R4k5Yw4Rhe4N1bQiUPW3MMyH8xkXGRyNo1FCCP0uWlqCPb2fAKVnJxAPOudSX9pkpZ7aJuowpX9rnjLaCW1UJx0xUPc0_RI3hBRypE2Ud26MdR2L9ZLxoiji5Z7S_6HX53Vg0zzET/s1600/20120322%C2%A9jn_0022.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="265" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhUe53R4k5Yw4Rhe4N1bQiUPW3MMyH8xkXGRyNo1FCCP0uWlqCPb2fAKVnJxAPOudSX9pkpZ7aJuowpX9rnjLaCW1UJx0xUPc0_RI3hBRypE2Ud26MdR2L9ZLxoiji5Z7S_6HX53Vg0zzET/s400/20120322%C2%A9jn_0022.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b><i>Not Enough</i></b></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7_hXi-dPoTYwd1D2zASjdk4sY08UMW88nUetLWefP_Q7Gh16n0uLX6LHb6m9oqYbtlZGMmTBzSVCmbxdlAf6ZBo4irURDTPzMPALsJPgF0myOyCMVadJ_pYmklk5O6TNmfuhvR78KupkO/s1600/20120322%C2%A9jn_0053.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="265" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7_hXi-dPoTYwd1D2zASjdk4sY08UMW88nUetLWefP_Q7Gh16n0uLX6LHb6m9oqYbtlZGMmTBzSVCmbxdlAf6ZBo4irURDTPzMPALsJPgF0myOyCMVadJ_pYmklk5O6TNmfuhvR78KupkO/s400/20120322%C2%A9jn_0053.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i><b>Three under a makeshift shelter, no water, no food!</b></i></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZrtdSfwUFrHo3_oByXO9lNzm-AxbILfheVhdcSZE-3Zm7k_LR67iKI7W84gwDGZJrP6d05SbDjAEGCLRKGvPwUky-gN5TDX8BNUUvZsiE65OZCHt3TbqhjJxYl-L-kPU0qZPGXCaVs6mV/s1600/20120322%C2%A9jn_0067.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="265" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZrtdSfwUFrHo3_oByXO9lNzm-AxbILfheVhdcSZE-3Zm7k_LR67iKI7W84gwDGZJrP6d05SbDjAEGCLRKGvPwUky-gN5TDX8BNUUvZsiE65OZCHt3TbqhjJxYl-L-kPU0qZPGXCaVs6mV/s400/20120322%C2%A9jn_0067.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b><i>Babies in Chains</i></b></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
I spoke at some length with two of the family members, whose English is excellent. They claim that each of the confiscated elephants had valid papers, but in each case there were discrepancies in the descriptions. According to them, 2 DNP staff visited their camp on January 24th to collect information, then on the 25th, The National Parks, Wildlife and Plant Conservation Department chief, Khun Damrong Pidej, led a raid of some 200 armed men, demanding to immediately see all the certificates. Quickly copies were made and surrendered to DNP. The camp had, at that time, 51 elephants but handed over papers on 58 elephants. DNP wanted to know why there were 7 extra papers. Saiyok Elephant park staff insisted it was an oversight caused by the pressure to immediately produce. They had included copies of documents about elephants that were no longer there. <br />
<br />
DNP left with instructions to have the description sections of the certificates updated at the local office. However, when they went to the government office they were told that no adjustments to the certificates could be made while they were under investigation. On 29 February, 19 elephants were confiscated from Saiyok and transported to TECC.<br />
<br />
I asked if DNP uses the microchip information. No! It turns out that the microchip information is maintained by Department of Livestock Development and apparently there is no coordination between the two departments. Saiyok elephant staff said, all of their adult elephants has been micro chipped; most of them 10 to 15 years ago. All information about elephants including sex, age, place elephants were micro chipped, previous owner’s name and address have been recorded as a database at Bureau of Disease Control and Veterinary Service, Surin province. If I understand this correctly wild elephants come under the jurisdiction of Department of National Parks and domestic elephants under the jurisdiction of Department of Livestock.<br />
<br />
As I said at the beginning Gentle Reader, there are far more questions than answers.<br />
<br />Jerry Nelsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14205179587203503931noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5704921067011011025.post-31927769542377218262012-03-20T13:54:00.000+07:002012-03-20T13:54:44.005+07:00Status of Asian Elephant Stories<br />
Gentle Reader,<br />
<br />
As many of you, this blog disappeared for a day and then reappeared without comment. The best explanation that I have received was from the Blogger Help Forum: “It can be a glitch, you don't need to worry about it, sometimes Google system makes mistake but as soon as they realize it, they correct it. Once it deleted my Google account (this account) but after an week they gave my Account back. “<br />
<br />
I like that explanation; it’s the least controversial and actually makes some technical sense. On the other hand this and the content I have been posting could have some connection, or not. In any case I’ve decided to take two actions:<br />
<br />
<br />
1st I’ve started some research on blog options. I may end up moving Asian Elephant Stories to a different platform. I would be most interested in your feedback and would love to hear from you. This would also be an opportunity for me to change the appearance etc. Please share with me your thoughts.<br />
<br />
2nd I thought I would compile a list information sources and share them with you. That we can do today. The caveat for this list is it must be about elephants. That’s difficult to really define, so I won’t. Some of the postings are good, others are not. Some are written by people who know what they are talking about, some are not. Some express opinions with which I agree, some express opinions with which I disagree. Although I love living in Thailand, I hail from the United States where freedom of speech is one of our basic tenants. <br />
<div>
<br /></div>
<br />
1. FaceBook has several elephant and animal conservation groups. There is a definite downside to this option and that is you can very quickly drown in your own inbox. O.K. You have been warned, here are some of the FaceBook groups to which I belong:<br />
<br /> a. Elephant Nature Park & Foundation<br /><br /> b. Save Queenie Save Elephants<br /><br /> c. The Ugly Truth About Elephant Rides<br /><br /> d. Bring The Elephant Home<br /><br /> e. Save The Elephants (see below)<br /><br />2. Save The Elephants at www.savetheelephants.org has a lot of information they also offer to add you to an email list where you can subscribe to their news lists. Details are on the website under Communication -> Elephant News Service. This website also contains an extensive list of elephant related links.<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
3. Google Alerts. I just set up a google alert for the word “elephant”. I get a list that includes a lot of totally irrelevant listings, but it does catch a good share of the ones that are interesting to me.<br /><br />4. I read John Robert’s blog at: <a href="http://elephant-tails.anantara.com/">http://elephant-tails.anantara.com</a>. I read others as well but this one is always well written and, at least to me and to John's mother, quite interesting.<br /><div>
<br /></div>
<div>
There are certainly other excellent sources. Send me your favorite and I just might add it to this list.</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
Abundant Blessings, </div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
Jerry</div>
</div>Jerry Nelsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14205179587203503931noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5704921067011011025.post-72044304806144055962012-03-07T16:57:00.000+07:002012-03-07T16:57:25.338+07:00Pang Porn Sawan Update & a QUESTION if you don’t mind<div class="MsoNormal">Today I made a trip to the Thai Elephant Conservation Center (TECC) at Lampang. This time I went with two things to do, see Pang and learn about the confiscated elephants that recently arrived at TECC. </div><div class="MsoNormal">So what did I learn? Well I’m told by the people at TECC that there are 19 recently confiscated elephants at TECC. However, they were unwilling to give me any specific information. They refused to let me see these new elephants, never mind allowing me to film or photograph them. My QUESTION is simple: <span style="color: red; font-size: large;"><b>Why? </b></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEga5OzNWb824slBOUCd9UPBvA1PjsE9KI4QNyG8rhDKT09_NbQeDWxEPg-A5SpRgiN9zO0pfeXRqmLVrdJ9SSOUz-ymcp3z02KEkrSVBNS3G23HNYxqhiaxHArxG6M-UAtEqJoOlq2QYQYO/s1600/20120307_@JN_0080.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="265" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEga5OzNWb824slBOUCd9UPBvA1PjsE9KI4QNyG8rhDKT09_NbQeDWxEPg-A5SpRgiN9zO0pfeXRqmLVrdJ9SSOUz-ymcp3z02KEkrSVBNS3G23HNYxqhiaxHArxG6M-UAtEqJoOlq2QYQYO/s400/20120307_@JN_0080.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b><i>I was hoping for real elephants, but not this time. </i></b></td></tr>
</tbody></table><div class="MsoNormal">At the TECC hospital I visited with Pang Porn Sawan, hospital stall and her faithful Mahut Khun Tor Pe Do. Tor Pe Do is a gentle as Pang, they make a great pair. </div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhm5WZWmH_l50hbRSgTd0Y32qS7WFQVZl7yOJnziCOd7RnRVqjHtPRnR_ue6cEu1VcyY6oMUpCM0X7R1zpLRWa3SWAtw2zfOHxxxIbn274JEshd_WOqMGAaizx_nK28SqfwFElRtkz0aF7Y/s1600/20120307_@JN_0006.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="265" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhm5WZWmH_l50hbRSgTd0Y32qS7WFQVZl7yOJnziCOd7RnRVqjHtPRnR_ue6cEu1VcyY6oMUpCM0X7R1zpLRWa3SWAtw2zfOHxxxIbn274JEshd_WOqMGAaizx_nK28SqfwFElRtkz0aF7Y/s400/20120307_@JN_0006.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b><i>Tor Pe Do with Pang</i></b></td></tr>
</tbody></table><div class="MsoNormal">The first thing I learned about Pang today is that he name, at least in the hospital, is Pang Ma Ae. Why the change? I don’t know and can’t speak enough Thai to get an explanation. Pang by any name is still one marvelous elephant.</div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2XtfKI9Wg95atAYUBJ6X0q7GfUWzg2zyvMTBGPebfGTwahYJ-1RB4rXIrmQUTXCVW-izH6uaSZQqRPCc_cVG7PVAGg32PGd615pKb23MT1hQ-J5mtDyYuMDEiyJMfvb9s7Yl7UOGVlQax/s1600/20120307_@JN_0010.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="265" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2XtfKI9Wg95atAYUBJ6X0q7GfUWzg2zyvMTBGPebfGTwahYJ-1RB4rXIrmQUTXCVW-izH6uaSZQqRPCc_cVG7PVAGg32PGd615pKb23MT1hQ-J5mtDyYuMDEiyJMfvb9s7Yl7UOGVlQax/s400/20120307_@JN_0010.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b><i>The Eye of Pang Porn Sawan</i></b></td></tr>
</tbody></table><div class="MsoNormal">I hung out with her for almost an hour today. Being with her reminds me of what a gentle soul she really is. Her disposition amazes me. I can only imagine how much she has suffered and yet there she it, loving and gracious. For the first few minutes Tor Pe Do seemed concerned that I wanted to be so close to her but somehow Pang assured him it was O.K. I knew immediately that she recognized me and was accepting of my presence.</div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgBWdzaUR2fszz22a32gRws8rpB-Dhjv9zouOWKKU1YozTG4B3M8Spgjt1BniNPgYQk823tuiAkAw5CpHcCM6ipFgWIstCCcxB-GPdbYAGm3W0xBjLwM6LBv3aSok96rHNILRWjxxP-BKxl/s1600/20120307_@JN_0062.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgBWdzaUR2fszz22a32gRws8rpB-Dhjv9zouOWKKU1YozTG4B3M8Spgjt1BniNPgYQk823tuiAkAw5CpHcCM6ipFgWIstCCcxB-GPdbYAGm3W0xBjLwM6LBv3aSok96rHNILRWjxxP-BKxl/s400/20120307_@JN_0062.jpg" width="265" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b><i>I Love This Elephant</i></b></td></tr>
</tbody></table><div class="MsoNormal">Her wounded foot is healing and really looks good. Just to compare I’ll post photo’s from the beginning through today so you can see for your self. I have an immense respect and much gratitude for the TECC Elephant Hospital.</div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiORlBW2ReD1rJsrQKoykuJgKuXrmBbD21fZbaDuH6AmtciAHEkl_HzAoOrOcwTL7PFWV8rmOoBmaH0PF1h24BXjcODCZdFxlEhtfYjqBbigcud3MtwsxVsKSlLnFUwFLCzq89vv8BMGZLI/s1600/20110919_%C2%A9JN_047.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="265" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiORlBW2ReD1rJsrQKoykuJgKuXrmBbD21fZbaDuH6AmtciAHEkl_HzAoOrOcwTL7PFWV8rmOoBmaH0PF1h24BXjcODCZdFxlEhtfYjqBbigcud3MtwsxVsKSlLnFUwFLCzq89vv8BMGZLI/s400/20110919_%C2%A9JN_047.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The wounded foot 19 September 2011<br />
</td></tr>
</tbody></table><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiNGrbauFk5qzHPN-yiL-HjUbfODcyQyd0UzW0PkmaDxT34cfDXBoOkr-zwYoo_0vMytD_m3Ly2CQQQqyc1HO-dtBX2DLqx8PgRxkw8qMStJcWt6QG6ve7WPrWmzoPmh13kqhS0n1Lj_1__/s1600/20120307_@JN_0005.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="265" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiNGrbauFk5qzHPN-yiL-HjUbfODcyQyd0UzW0PkmaDxT34cfDXBoOkr-zwYoo_0vMytD_m3Ly2CQQQqyc1HO-dtBX2DLqx8PgRxkw8qMStJcWt6QG6ve7WPrWmzoPmh13kqhS0n1Lj_1__/s400/20120307_@JN_0005.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The Foot, 7 March 2012<br />
</td></tr>
</tbody></table><div class="MsoNormal">Abundant Blessings to you Gentle Reader,</div>Jerry Nelsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14205179587203503931noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5704921067011011025.post-16368943161306014742012-02-29T11:09:00.000+07:002012-02-29T11:09:57.905+07:00The Elephant Nature Park and the DNP, an update<div class="MsoNormal">Two days ago, on February 27<sup>th </sup>I was advised that ENP would be raided again the next day. By the end of the day several threats had been made public. Lek would be arrested, elephants would be confiscated, and volunteers would be harassed. The threats and intimidation are so ridiculous that in another context they would be funny. In reality they are not funny, not at all. Why is this happening? Why is it happening only to Wild life Friends Foundation of Thailand (WFFT) and Elephant Nature Park (ENP)? Could it be because these two organizations are the ONLY two NGO’s that are speaking out against the illegal elephant trade? In Asia the loss of face is very serious and apparently at least one government official has serious face. One source told me that he is telling people that he hates Khun Sangduen and that he wants to destroy her and all of her projects. </div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">Waiting and being told the government would not arrive till after lunch the media asked to interview Lek. At the interview she mostly discussed the past two raids and the government paper stating that the park was in proper order. The proof of the baby elephants was also shown.</div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">On February 28<sup>th</sup>, there was no “big raid” on ENP. The Director of the DNP chose not to come himself; rather he sent some of his underlings. This was the 3<sup>rd</sup> time in a month that they had descended on ENP with allegations and threats. The last time they were there they signed a legal document stating that a total inspection had been done and that everything was in order. Still they returned. The threat of the day was that they were going to confiscate three elephants which apparently didn’t have the right papers, or had no papers:</div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpFirst" style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;"><!--[if !supportLists]-->1.<span style="font-size: 7pt;"> 1. </span><!--[endif]--> Jokia: She is totally blind and relies on her best friend and guide, Mae Perm. She has been at the park for more than 10 years, and now suddenly she is an illegal elephant? To take this elephant would be to kill her! More information about Jokia is at: <a href="http://www.elephantnaturefoundation.org/go/elephants/elephant/jokia">http://www.elephantnaturefoundation.org/go/elephants/elephant/jokia</a></div><div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpFirst" style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;"><!--[if !supportLists]-->2.<span style="font-size: 7pt;"> 2. </span><!--[endif]-->Medo: She’s the gal with the bad back and broken hips. Again she would not likely survive if she were removed. Medo has been in the park since June of 2007. More information about Medo is at: <a href="http://www.elephantnaturepark.org/herd/medo.htm">http://www.elephantnaturepark.org/herd/medo.htm</a></div><div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpLast" style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;"><!--[if !supportLists]-->3.<span style="font-size: 7pt;"> 3. </span><!--[endif]-->Chang Yim: He was born in the park and is less than three years old. Documentation of his birth, DNA, and many photographs were offered as proof of his origin. Given all the documentation and the fact that by Thai law he’s too young to require registration, it seems the DNP has backed off of their threats to take him. He also has more information posted at: <a href="http://www.elephantnaturepark.org/herd/changyim.htm">http://www.elephantnaturepark.org/herd/changyim.htm</a></div><div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpLast" style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpLast" style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">The government has given ENP 15 days to get the proper paperwork on Jokia and Medo. </div><div class="MsoNormal">The news media came in force to ENP on the 28<sup>th</sup>. I’m sure they were given instructions to cover the “government’s story” but it was so obvious that they had nothing worth reporting that all the attention turned to Lek and her volunteers. The government people were met at a locked gate by volunteers holding a silent protest, and by the ENP attorney who politely informed them that without the proper warrants they couldn't just barge in and arrest anyone. </div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5TeiONCDxyNilzztMVX7Fk92jg1FYvIdkk4d728duLDGgeNLlhoqnQ1jkgJYfICKDkarrXvbPYy1EaHaNVSHMejhzDah0_bl0YYpYZC_nC4KimugVpxf3PKRN6X66D-I4Xs7osXUwzbkl/s1600/20120228_@JN_0031.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5TeiONCDxyNilzztMVX7Fk92jg1FYvIdkk4d728duLDGgeNLlhoqnQ1jkgJYfICKDkarrXvbPYy1EaHaNVSHMejhzDah0_bl0YYpYZC_nC4KimugVpxf3PKRN6X66D-I4Xs7osXUwzbkl/s400/20120228_@JN_0031.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The protesters</td></tr>
</tbody></table><br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjydGSXxax_hMWLiG0Le2l8rVv3-1B7-VfPdqmuotVqXQgvQK9NBwLVzZpwSpf7V3IltbBKRoKHEsfEccYBxMfsRhpEr1zVoAruSHahDWqFc3v6myNSkEBncAXmuvS-6NjAwlnUHNfAkKk5/s1600/20120228_@JN_0037.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="265" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjydGSXxax_hMWLiG0Le2l8rVv3-1B7-VfPdqmuotVqXQgvQK9NBwLVzZpwSpf7V3IltbBKRoKHEsfEccYBxMfsRhpEr1zVoAruSHahDWqFc3v6myNSkEBncAXmuvS-6NjAwlnUHNfAkKk5/s400/20120228_@JN_0037.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The government officials at the fence</td></tr>
</tbody></table><div class="MsoNormal">After a few minutes of talking through the fence, they were invited to come into the camp and meet with Lek. Here I must apologize for incomplete reporting and acknowledge my woeful lack of ability to comprehend spoken Thai. I’m sure that details will be forthcoming. For now the points that I’m certain of are:</div><div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpFirst" style="mso-list: l1 level1 lfo2; text-indent: -.25in;"><!--[if !supportLists]-->1.<span style="font-size: 7pt;"> 1. </span><!--[endif]-->Lek asked the government for 30 days to get the required papers for Jokia and Medo I don’t know the details but it has to do with tracking down previous owners in other areas of Thailand. The government gave her 15 days and threatens to take Jokia and Medo if the papers are not completed.</div><div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="mso-list: l1 level1 lfo2; text-indent: -.25in;"><!--[if !supportLists]-->2.<span style="font-size: 7pt;"> 2. </span><!--[endif]-->They made it very clear to her that some people hate her because she stands for people who are trying to do the right thing. This is about taking a strong stand against elephant trafficking.</div><div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="mso-list: l1 level1 lfo2; text-indent: -.25in;"><!--[if !supportLists]-->3.<span style="font-size: 7pt;"> 3. </span><!--[endif]-->They are threatening to take her land. They will inspect it all for illegal activity. As is being said, if they can’t find one thing they will try to find something else to cause problems.</div><div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="mso-list: l1 level1 lfo2; text-indent: -.25in;"><!--[if !supportLists]-->4.<span style="font-size: 7pt;"> 4. </span><!--[endif]-->The government also was very interested in why the park has so many Karen. (The plight of the Karen is a totally different story that overlaps). The park has about 255 employees, 75% of which are Karen.</div><div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="mso-list: l1 level1 lfo2; text-indent: -.25in;"><!--[if !supportLists]-->5.<span style="font-size: 7pt;"> 5. </span><!--[endif]-->When asked about the other camps they say they will inspect with proper procedures. Fact: 16 camps in the area. ENP has been inspected 3 times in a month. None of the others have been visited at all. </div><div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpLast" style="mso-list: l1 level1 lfo2; text-indent: -.25in;"><!--[if !supportLists]-->6.<span style="font-size: 7pt;"> 6. </span><!--[endif]-->At least one local official was trying to take Lek’s side. He agreed to take question and explained that all elephants need to have registration papers. He mentioned that there are about 8 elephants with no papers in the park (4 are too young to require papers). In Mae Tang there are about 78 elephants have no paper that’s about 1 out of 4. There is a problem with the law not requiring baby elephants to be registered until they are 8 years old. He likes the idea of having all captive elephants micro-chipped. About 2,000 elephants have been micro-chipped. He likes the idea of a DNA database, the government is talking about it, but nothing has been done yet. </div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">It appears that this battle for the elephants, the exposure of corruption and the retaliation is far from over. What can we do? Let the entire world know what is going on. This responsibility lies with us, the Thai news media will publish what they can but like the American media they receive pressures from the people in power. Just a brief example: A month ago there was an article in the Bangkok post that started all of this fervor. The online version of that article has been edited, according to other journalists with whom I have spoken. </div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">Here is a link to the video that Lek made yesterday afternoon: <a href="http://www.youtube.com/user/elephantnews?feature=g-all-u">http://www.youtube.com/user/elephantnews?feature=g-all-u</a></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">Here is a link to a list of source stories and documents: <a href="http://www.facebook.com/note.php?saved&&note_id=256085667803867&id=123785434367225">http://www.facebook.com/note.php?saved&&note_id=256085667803867&id=123785434367225</a></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">Please remember that the vast majority of Thai people are good people. Most of their government officials are honorable men and women who perform their duties with diligence and loyalty. In their culture we find ourselves often confused and frustrated, but we should never fall into the trap of thinking we know what’s good for them. Better we demonstrate what is good and if it’s something that will enhance their culture they will adopt new ideas, thoughts and behaviors. When I mentioned that I was going to ENP to cover the activities and to be a part of the protest against the malicious retaliation a skeptical friend of mine commented that none of it will do any good. He’s wrong! There is strength in numbers and around the world there is proof that change can be effected by people banding together to speak the truth. Thank you for being a part of this critical step in our evolution! </div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">Abundant Blessings to you all</div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div>Jerry Nelsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14205179587203503931noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5704921067011011025.post-91926303960959930812012-01-18T13:45:00.001+07:002012-01-18T13:50:50.461+07:00Bike for Elephants 2012<div class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 12pt;">This past weekend was spent in the company of Antoinette van de Water, her visiting parents and many of her supporters at Bike for Elephants 2012. Are you familiar with <a href="http://www.bringtheelephanthome.com/en/">Bring The Elephant Home?</a> My role this year was to ride along and take photographs. For me it was inspiring. Somewhere along the road one of the students from the KIS International School commented “You like taking pictures of kids, don’t you”. The answer, young man, is: Absolutely, especially when you are involved in life! The future of the world is in the hands of these young men and women. If the ones I met this weekend are any example, we'll be just fine! <o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 12pt;"><br />
</span></div><div class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 12pt;">This year day one was more challenging than anyone had anticipated. There was heavy rain in the area the night before, quite unexpected for mid January in Northern Thailand. We started out with a light rain, lots of mud and great attitudes. Starting out at the Mae Rim Lagoon Bed and Bakery, </span><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 12pt;">the bike riders made their way along the chosen route. Soon it was realized that the mud was too much for the bikes. The mud is actually more like a clay and would stick to the gears, brakes and all other parts. Everyone took it all in stride. The route was changed to mostly paved roads. </span> </div><div class="MsoNoSpacing"><br />
</div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjC9SN-tX0xeygfXgZeKaZqHd2EA5tHjxOk22B8Fltn2cyTbcBFAvSkW0pIXfibnHITRfztIlpUY13hQ64LuwJ0mrJ3lu7_7IYgoU22aEk8qc9DE1NzlAvjwzWcWqIDEspkCB9vUUB_LX3P/s1600/20120115_%2540JN_1004.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="265" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjC9SN-tX0xeygfXgZeKaZqHd2EA5tHjxOk22B8Fltn2cyTbcBFAvSkW0pIXfibnHITRfztIlpUY13hQ64LuwJ0mrJ3lu7_7IYgoU22aEk8qc9DE1NzlAvjwzWcWqIDEspkCB9vUUB_LX3P/s400/20120115_%2540JN_1004.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b><i>A rainy start</i></b></td></tr>
</tbody></table><br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhKoPebVJ5JTSAKOBH4H6fBYAba6ibpTlJhfPW3tv03topt0MuLBhhyphenhyphenA3nWCLnYgGuPyWbzYsswRw_HHWZ-qPNMRZ2oFYAa3vB5rbG7stvotxWjUXLNMyeg1Uj5TijkW7pomCmyiuLxBCd8/s1600/20120115_%2540JN_1025.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="265" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhKoPebVJ5JTSAKOBH4H6fBYAba6ibpTlJhfPW3tv03topt0MuLBhhyphenhyphenA3nWCLnYgGuPyWbzYsswRw_HHWZ-qPNMRZ2oFYAa3vB5rbG7stvotxWjUXLNMyeg1Uj5TijkW7pomCmyiuLxBCd8/s400/20120115_%2540JN_1025.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b><i>Mud</i></b></td></tr>
</tbody></table><br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjLLyqyFcx3FGXJkjr7N4JYzbE_ZJa-XJPwzuiztlN8p69gbQ1QU2veQCsIwdmuTJ4dVGM_RN6WbyTgoMEnmGPfrmVeQr_zApOHCCS04inpd577x9K2FWSlllJNSKyeEj5rOgNRjhrcqrym/s1600/20120115_%2540JN_1049-2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="265" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjLLyqyFcx3FGXJkjr7N4JYzbE_ZJa-XJPwzuiztlN8p69gbQ1QU2veQCsIwdmuTJ4dVGM_RN6WbyTgoMEnmGPfrmVeQr_zApOHCCS04inpd577x9K2FWSlllJNSKyeEj5rOgNRjhrcqrym/s400/20120115_%2540JN_1049-2.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b><i>Moving along the road</i></b></td></tr>
</tbody></table><div class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 12pt;">We stopped for lunch at the Bamboo Lodge and then continued on the the Elephant Nature Park.</span><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 12pt;"> </span><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 12pt;">I’m not sure how it happened but this year the ENP staff put the riders up in dorm rooms.</span><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 12pt;"> </span><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 12pt;">The participants enjoyed a bit of time feeding the elephants, were greeted by Sangduen “Lek” Chailert, the founder of ENP, a great dinner and an educational video.</span><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 12pt;"> </span><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 12pt;">The anticipated bonfire had been cancelled due to the rains.</span></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPTXmssYLG_Mz_sYSMEbT8M0fMeRGjY2xXnd6iEaK0oYSbgkYgRQpI66NxwnLazUzyTLiV0c8UMGAtJPO9FG-jwnou8QpbzRzrmKLGKwapFkHXoKGxKzzJSap5fcSvHOzW4BjHRWJx80vj/s1600/20120115_%2540JN_1082.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="265" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPTXmssYLG_Mz_sYSMEbT8M0fMeRGjY2xXnd6iEaK0oYSbgkYgRQpI66NxwnLazUzyTLiV0c8UMGAtJPO9FG-jwnou8QpbzRzrmKLGKwapFkHXoKGxKzzJSap5fcSvHOzW4BjHRWJx80vj/s400/20120115_%2540JN_1082.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b><i>Fixing a Flat During Luch</i></b></td></tr>
</tbody></table><br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9daW9NyGAC27ZFhNyI-J5CxJ_2hnhTKBPybLUhNLJFZXGlSLxzUU99RFjBwvJTUhtJ2fgH4p8uC95im9X584lrQMs1molCdkEFLJQgkeRftc8FEh5J-enSUZj2_OO3D-e4gtREvOvRR5C/s1600/20120115_%2540JN_1137.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="265" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9daW9NyGAC27ZFhNyI-J5CxJ_2hnhTKBPybLUhNLJFZXGlSLxzUU99RFjBwvJTUhtJ2fgH4p8uC95im9X584lrQMs1molCdkEFLJQgkeRftc8FEh5J-enSUZj2_OO3D-e4gtREvOvRR5C/s400/20120115_%2540JN_1137.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i><b>Wow! An Elephant </b></i></td></tr>
</tbody></table><br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2trImrieC8mPFLutE-_BKLP2r-oq1gcN-qgarYQ1bTVDE8DdH6yvaOTSKLmlNFj9QLXY1LPn9YVtB1NZvbemOGGr-oZD8F3BbGoBJUSpmLdIwflr0GYcBElc3EFLbBBqmpaTJI687TvxW/s1600/20120115_%2540JN_1156.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2trImrieC8mPFLutE-_BKLP2r-oq1gcN-qgarYQ1bTVDE8DdH6yvaOTSKLmlNFj9QLXY1LPn9YVtB1NZvbemOGGr-oZD8F3BbGoBJUSpmLdIwflr0GYcBElc3EFLbBBqmpaTJI687TvxW/s400/20120115_%2540JN_1156.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b><i>The Group Photo (One of many actually)! </i></b></td></tr>
</tbody></table><div class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 12pt;"><br />
</span></div><div class="MsoNoSpacing"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">In the morning we gathered for a group photograph and headed out for the day’s ride. Sunday was clear and the ride went well. We went through an area east of ENP and finally stopped at Wat Baan Den</span><span style="color: red; font-size: 12pt;">. </span><span style="font-size: small;">Then, on to the finish on the shores of the lake at the Mae Ngat </span>reservoir<span style="font-size: small;">. </span></span><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 16px;">At the end several of the participants enjoyed a swim in the refreshing lake waters.</span><span style="color: red; font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 12pt;"> </span></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDt9KYXT1UMbkm4cZsD030MFnqOtAm8vF0yaUKehqcv1N-K9sVSC8K3kSaDGhu2vBAj7sb5iX69s8_80CqKeH0zl7KlJLVQ8hS8ltWYBt4a7Bx8kAXbAGtwpaq6_dpy6DakUPSvvnt5iGu/s1600/20120115_%2540JN_1194.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDt9KYXT1UMbkm4cZsD030MFnqOtAm8vF0yaUKehqcv1N-K9sVSC8K3kSaDGhu2vBAj7sb5iX69s8_80CqKeH0zl7KlJLVQ8hS8ltWYBt4a7Bx8kAXbAGtwpaq6_dpy6DakUPSvvnt5iGu/s400/20120115_%2540JN_1194.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b><i>Student Nurse "Teaw" </i></b></td></tr>
</tbody></table><br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhU-dPos7YikFm6cgzOYywnMUTNqP__Wg5rhQCP7jmpJgS_6W1WqcGpdh7hta54z-RQ7wxdN_MBQeiVXdrb-Mw3MjpO_wCMjs4bnZtHs07O5-WiDr-GeGPMm52ry50vh3a6kIK81iNNi13p/s1600/20120115_%2540JN_1200.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="265" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhU-dPos7YikFm6cgzOYywnMUTNqP__Wg5rhQCP7jmpJgS_6W1WqcGpdh7hta54z-RQ7wxdN_MBQeiVXdrb-Mw3MjpO_wCMjs4bnZtHs07O5-WiDr-GeGPMm52ry50vh3a6kIK81iNNi13p/s400/20120115_%2540JN_1200.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b><i>A beautiful back road</i></b></td></tr>
</tbody></table><div class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="color: red; font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 12pt;"><br />
</span></div><div class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br />
</span></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiBVmaXg-TG_4wILwESsAv9N4Rbs0msNBcX-4c65OLVjraXtpvMQTaXfKjF1hEUgsHkR6Oi5nZW9DbjtHK9XvsMbj8OaZTrBhkT8RI2Zi5YVob762FdgPbvhcqpLARI2RCZRvJjxx1btLoq/s1600/20120115_%2540JN_1248.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="265" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiBVmaXg-TG_4wILwESsAv9N4Rbs0msNBcX-4c65OLVjraXtpvMQTaXfKjF1hEUgsHkR6Oi5nZW9DbjtHK9XvsMbj8OaZTrBhkT8RI2Zi5YVob762FdgPbvhcqpLARI2RCZRvJjxx1btLoq/s400/20120115_%2540JN_1248.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b><i>Water Fun</i></b></td></tr>
</tbody></table><div class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 12pt;">Somehow a couple direction signs were removed at the end of the course, causing a hearty souls to bike to the top of Mae Ngat reservoir. </span><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 12pt;">This is the bike for elephants event that will go down in history as having two winners at two different finish lines. Everyone took it all in stride and had a great time and everyone who participated is a winner! <o:p></o:p></span></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6s4VOcgTaLuIdmKRMeIW69_wfCN4RI1tFM5nqBGfV8SLzGoA2Ddi4uW2ctwUWpLmjy6DMlQKgocRGshLxt6SofTMKEOdSVf26AmrVOuEUyFKKMNL6CV9GqmCC9uikpE9Mvf0NKMsP16kO/s1600/20120115_%2540JN_1261.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="265" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6s4VOcgTaLuIdmKRMeIW69_wfCN4RI1tFM5nqBGfV8SLzGoA2Ddi4uW2ctwUWpLmjy6DMlQKgocRGshLxt6SofTMKEOdSVf26AmrVOuEUyFKKMNL6CV9GqmCC9uikpE9Mvf0NKMsP16kO/s400/20120115_%2540JN_1261.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b><i>We finished First, jut at different places </i></b></td></tr>
</tbody></table><div class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 12pt;">Bicycles for this event were provided by SpiceRoads. Other sponsors included Fah Lanna Spa, Park Plaze Hotel and DE Lanna Hotel. </span><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 12pt;">I mention these fine people because I’ve learned that life is composed of givers and takers. These people are all givers and I would rather do business with the givers than the takers. I’m sure you feel the same.</span></div><div class="MsoNoSpacing"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 12pt;">There are almost 250 photographs are available at <a href="http://s935.photobucket.com/albums/ad200/jnelson1944/Bike4Elephants2012/">http://s935.photobucket.com/albums/ad200/jnelson1944/Bike4Elephants2012/</a> If you want to print any of them please contact me and I'll give you a fille large enough to make a decent print. </span>The shot below is the result of the truck hit a big bump just as the camera fired. I'll keep it! </div><div class="MsoNoSpacing"><br />
</div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjiYseGSDQJpaqxHXZhi8N2qPqXtDvgq66GWg4qTylYt-gex9OQHLZTznw8masCauW24LHIO0nZG-of2vxuwSsuZYM6VmKx9UmdiD3lmKWOZkoKN6MHs8-FHvgdLCDQEecuNKWp2zQcnv3O/s1600/20120115_%2540JN_1187+copy.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="265" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjiYseGSDQJpaqxHXZhi8N2qPqXtDvgq66GWg4qTylYt-gex9OQHLZTznw8masCauW24LHIO0nZG-of2vxuwSsuZYM6VmKx9UmdiD3lmKWOZkoKN6MHs8-FHvgdLCDQEecuNKWp2zQcnv3O/s400/20120115_%2540JN_1187+copy.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b><i>The Happy Accident</i></b></td></tr>
</tbody></table><div class="MsoNoSpacing"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNoSpacing"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 12pt;">Abundant Blessings, <o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNoSpacing"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br />
</span></div>Jerry Nelsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14205179587203503931noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5704921067011011025.post-85677942820937313892012-01-13T17:13:00.000+07:002012-01-13T17:13:16.024+07:00The Pang Pornsawan Art Sale Event is Almost Here!<div class="MsoNormal">The time is drawing near! Saturday January 21, 2012 is set as the date for the Pang Pornsawan Art Sale Event. This morning I posted an event invitation on Facebook, knowing full well that many who saw the post would not be able to attend. Just because you are in North America, Europe, Africa or Australia doesn’t mean you can’t help. If you can attend that’s marvelous. The more the merrier and I would want to see you all there! </div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9WySe1ChDWIanUc4J4gZanNtAEAhyphenhyphennQuJIl7JN7yvRsLJsJVTiwdLcZCxEqkINuxJyw1x4YthgEl6VgXjhVx3D0Cpo10ey0aS_ybaVUb-FHJQ1mbDUtQRQvreIcFnOLPd4AprZowd7IwD/s1600/20111216_%2540JN_0054.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="265" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9WySe1ChDWIanUc4J4gZanNtAEAhyphenhyphennQuJIl7JN7yvRsLJsJVTiwdLcZCxEqkINuxJyw1x4YthgEl6VgXjhVx3D0Cpo10ey0aS_ybaVUb-FHJQ1mbDUtQRQvreIcFnOLPd4AprZowd7IwD/s400/20111216_%2540JN_0054.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: yellow;"><b>A chat with Pang right before Christmas. </b></span></td></tr>
</tbody></table><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: large;">However, if you can’t be there perhaps you could help in another small way.</span><span style="font-size: large;"> </span><span style="font-size: large;">Would you go to the website and buy a ticket. </span><span style="font-size: large;"> </span><span style="font-size: large;">Y</span><span style="font-size: large;">ou have three choice, the on-line <span style="color: red;">ticket prices are only $50.00, $35.00 and $17.50.</span></span><span style="font-size: large;"> </span><span style="font-size: large;">It’s not a huge donation, but every little bit will help. </span><span style="font-size: large;"> </span><span style="font-size: large;">Of course, you are welcome to buy more than one and are certainly encouraged to do so.</span><span style="font-size: large;"> </span><span style="font-size: large;">Every little bit will help. Please visit the<span style="color: orange;"> <a href="http://www.jerrynelsonphoto.com/online-merchandise/digital-images/">On Line Purchase</a> </span>page on the website. </span><span style="font-size: large;">While you are on the website please consider purchasing the digital photographs that are available. All were donated and 100% of the revenue goes to support Pang Pornsawan..</span> </div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhD3AwCFCJAjLiKkEwZYZxQFTKWcJTHZjafBYnwHzHEgnb9qOsDyT5NHLpar3FN9Wg1QBwT_CH3XdojbAJU7Dl-tXCasjJzFPKkftmKsNotbXXCLT7L1h7l_PJ5lkl7hzhdBsM4oa1Xqilc/s1600/20111216_%2540JN_0011.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="265" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhD3AwCFCJAjLiKkEwZYZxQFTKWcJTHZjafBYnwHzHEgnb9qOsDyT5NHLpar3FN9Wg1QBwT_CH3XdojbAJU7Dl-tXCasjJzFPKkftmKsNotbXXCLT7L1h7l_PJ5lkl7hzhdBsM4oa1Xqilc/s400/20111216_%2540JN_0011.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjP46zw6EwEwRLYeTxeP4-n-CVrQiSaN9M_7AFUe5SMRZCgapimXDdWNr-zzI-jAtZYsGkO1i_JdAwo9bbkY3TRAdpjrDLWlCSaN-Obn76qX77kkN_c3IVoXj4Zle-KCRApqmInfgK50kTa/s1600/20111216_%2540JN_0033.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="265" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjP46zw6EwEwRLYeTxeP4-n-CVrQiSaN9M_7AFUe5SMRZCgapimXDdWNr-zzI-jAtZYsGkO1i_JdAwo9bbkY3TRAdpjrDLWlCSaN-Obn76qX77kkN_c3IVoXj4Zle-KCRApqmInfgK50kTa/s400/20111216_%2540JN_0033.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZH8qO9loLdVJHY1csPP5owRVd2fxb2V2wj77_-rliZJ-GXeVKIFz21W0Pst9nqd5S8vzqsU9n3tmde-MS8Bo0451Qb30ltMvIPq3z2R43Xnu6MqMvOTBQ4Fd7HMvCVVXguYpH_jCtk7IN/s1600/20111216_%2540JN_0056.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="265" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZH8qO9loLdVJHY1csPP5owRVd2fxb2V2wj77_-rliZJ-GXeVKIFz21W0Pst9nqd5S8vzqsU9n3tmde-MS8Bo0451Qb30ltMvIPq3z2R43Xnu6MqMvOTBQ4Fd7HMvCVVXguYpH_jCtk7IN/s400/20111216_%2540JN_0056.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b><span style="color: yellow;">Although she's very uncomfortable and must have treatments twice a day<br />
Pang Pornsawan displays an amazing temperment. If you meet her, you will love her too!</span></b></td></tr>
</tbody></table><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">48 hours after the auction is over the website will disappear. The URL will become host to a more permanent website which may include this event as part of it’s history.</div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">For those of you who are going to be able to attend, the event will start at 6:00 p.m., but you are welcome to come early. The silent auction will run from 6:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m. Winners will be asked to pay for their winning bids and take the art home with them that evening. </div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjUTLOc-iGuO99CJWrZkMkw0R4fLISqjgdsFZCGx0CbmeXzYer9DYpbRgJDw520FbzRKsbBiiUReCQwogO4lciwv6oxbNUQapvQBILjoJRR0XLUSjuwX6CyOjRECfw7HcqGGCUA1d1KDwPx/s1600/20110831_JN%25C2%25A9_191.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="265" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjUTLOc-iGuO99CJWrZkMkw0R4fLISqjgdsFZCGx0CbmeXzYer9DYpbRgJDw520FbzRKsbBiiUReCQwogO4lciwv6oxbNUQapvQBILjoJRR0XLUSjuwX6CyOjRECfw7HcqGGCUA1d1KDwPx/s400/20110831_JN%25C2%25A9_191.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: yellow;">Pang Pornsawan Arrives at the hospital to begin her recovery.</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table><div class="MsoNormal">Remember that <span style="color: yellow; font-size: large;">100% of the proceeds will go to Save Elephant Foundation</span> earmarked for the care of Pang Pornsawan. She deserves our love and our support. I thank you in advance for your compassion and your generosity!</div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">Abundant Blessings, </div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div>Jerry Nelsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14205179587203503931noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5704921067011011025.post-77040654058150804812011-12-30T07:18:00.000+07:002011-12-30T07:18:17.686+07:00Compassion<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><br />
<div class="MsoNormal">The day before yesterday I spent a wonderful day just being a tourist at the Elephant Nature Park. Sometimes I go there to do something specific and sometimes I go there to relax. Wednesday a friend of mine had booked a day trip, so I decided to go along. As the day started I decided to just be a tourist for the day. So, what did I see? Compassion would be the one word answer. Gentle Reader, you know that I have background knowledge that the first time visitors may not have, but I sense that everyone feels the compassion that is so prevalent at the Elephant Nature Park.</div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">Come see it for yourself. That may take a bit of planning; in the meantime you are welcome to see all the images taken on this trip at <a href="http://s935.photobucket.com/albums/ad200/jnelson1944/ENP20111228/">http://s935.photobucket.com/albums/ad200/jnelson1944/ENP20111228/</a></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">The morning started at the ENP Office in Chiang Mai where I met up with my friend David. We boarded a van. The driver and our guide, Khun Quan started the journey wending through the tiny streets of Ancient Chiang Mai picking up other tourists at their hotels and guest houses. Then we were off to the park. The trip takes a bit more than an hour but the time goes quickly. The guides provide information about the day, the elephants and the park. There is a DVD about the plight of the Thai elephant and the Elephant Nature Park that sets the tone for the day. </div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-NxfPqJgFrwE/Tv0AArrfj9I/AAAAAAAABOI/ccv_ceFrPus/s1600/20111228_%2540JN_0085.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-NxfPqJgFrwE/Tv0AArrfj9I/AAAAAAAABOI/ccv_ceFrPus/s400/20111228_%2540JN_0085.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i><b>Quan, our able guide.</b></i></td></tr>
</tbody></table><div class="MsoNormal">As we were pulling into the park I noticed the side of a new building (housing for long term volunteers, I believe) being adorned with a new flower garden. Several women were sharing this task and what do I notice, the founder of Save Elephant Foundation, Sangduen “Lek” Chialert is one of them! This is a roll your sleeves up and get involved kind of lady. As soon as the van stopped, I ran back down the road to get a photo. Now for a moment I’m not a tourist, but one of Lek’s volunteer staff. She wants a photograph with her fellow gardeners. She wants them to know how important their work really is and she wants everyone to know that the community around the park is very involved! The park and it’s several activities, is designed to provide the best care possible for the elephants and other animals the end up there. It also purposefully supports the surrounding community.</div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-tWobMvUMvHg/Tvz2_Bq0N8I/AAAAAAAABMc/yldf3u9wjeQ/s1600/20111228_%2540JN_0291+copy.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="265" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-tWobMvUMvHg/Tvz2_Bq0N8I/AAAAAAAABMc/yldf3u9wjeQ/s400/20111228_%2540JN_0291+copy.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b><i>6 beautiful souls, 7 counting the dog</i></b></td></tr>
</tbody></table><div class="MsoNormal">Every tourist begins his / her visit to the park with a safety briefing. We have the pleasure to interact with these gentle giants but we do need to remember that they are huge and powerful. The safety tips are pretty basic and tourists are always with a guide whose job is to make sure you enjoy your day, do no harm to any of the animals and do no harm to yourself. After the safety briefing we went to the shed where Chiang Yim, his mother and auntie were waiting for us to give them their morning basket of fruit. It’s always fun to watch people as they feed these elephants. Some are skittish and might drop a piece of watermelon; others take it all in stride. Each group, usually less than 10 people has a chance to feed different elephants. A good time is had by all.</div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-o7j39WexDIY/Tvz3zNTdU_I/AAAAAAAABMo/eqzArE63KcY/s1600/20111228_%2540JN_0008.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="265" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-o7j39WexDIY/Tvz3zNTdU_I/AAAAAAAABMo/eqzArE63KcY/s400/20111228_%2540JN_0008.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b><i>Woops!</i></b></td></tr>
</tbody></table><div class="MsoNormal">From the shed we went out past the medical station to visit with Medo and her friend, Mae Mai. These elephants are so gentle, so sweet and have endured so much. You can read about them at <a href="http://www.elephantnaturefoundation.org/">www.elephantnaturefoundation.org</a> and <a href="http://www.elephantnaturepark.org/">www.elephantnaturepark.org</a> (The site’s have slightly different information). Medo is one of my favorite elephants. I remember when I first came to the park over a year and a half ago someone told me that elephants will pick up on your energy and that I should not feel sorry for Medo. Rather I should cheer her on. I make a point of doing just that. After all she has a good home, a best friend who shows much compassion and is in no danger of being further abused.</div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-1Lo3sMeBsKQ/Tvz48ZylwlI/AAAAAAAABM0/HDDOCFWsL7w/s1600/20111228_%2540JN_0039.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="265" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-1Lo3sMeBsKQ/Tvz48ZylwlI/AAAAAAAABM0/HDDOCFWsL7w/s400/20111228_%2540JN_0039.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i><b>Medo and one of her old fans</b></i></td></tr>
</tbody></table><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-JAfo84LW2RI/Tvz5swV8iKI/AAAAAAAABNM/bBn0_mUUGbs/s1600/20111228_%2540JN_0045.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="265" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-JAfo84LW2RI/Tvz5swV8iKI/AAAAAAAABNM/bBn0_mUUGbs/s400/20111228_%2540JN_0045.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b><i>Medo and a family of new friends</i></b></td></tr>
</tbody></table><div class="MsoNormal">After our visit we returned to the platform to get ready for lunch. I noticed the new dog that has just been shipped up from Bangkok. He’s blind and just lost a leg due to infection, an infection that was flood related. Many people would have put him down but not this foundation. Another example of compassion hits me in the heart. This little dog will, I am sure, be one of my favorites. He has a sweet disposition and for reasons that escape me at the moment, seems to be very trusting of humans. Certainly his history before rescue would not justify the trust. He’ll be in good company with other three legged dogs and a couple of blind elephants.</div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-hTbRxU7pbO0/Tvz6X5RNM3I/AAAAAAAABNY/_lvb30yjCmo/s1600/20111228_%2540JN_0078.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="265" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-hTbRxU7pbO0/Tvz6X5RNM3I/AAAAAAAABNY/_lvb30yjCmo/s400/20111228_%2540JN_0078.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b><i>Starting a new life, a life of compassion</i></b></td></tr>
</tbody></table><div class="MsoNormal">At the Elephant Nature Park there is always a great lunch buffet. It’s mostly vegetarian with maybe a couple of chicken or fish dishes. Available are great curries, soups, rice, several kinds of noodles and delightful salads. They have huge plates, which I always manage to fill. </div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">The afternoon starts with a trip to the river where people can enjoy bathing the elephants. The elephants come to the river in definite order, in shifts if you will. All caution is taken to ensure that there are never elephants who are known to have disagreement present with the tourists. The bull elephants never come to the river at the same time, especially if there are any guests near the river. All in all it’s really a great time and the elephants enjoy the water. Some just accept the bucket bath, some will get involved using their trunk and others prefer to wade out away from the guests for their own private bath. Like people, each has his or her own personality.</div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-ZkzkEVPg1Vo/Tvz9C97LXqI/AAAAAAAABNk/HHbTvQpiT_E/s1600/20111228_%2540JN_0156.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="265" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-ZkzkEVPg1Vo/Tvz9C97LXqI/AAAAAAAABNk/HHbTvQpiT_E/s400/20111228_%2540JN_0156.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b><i>Spray! </i></b></td></tr>
</tbody></table><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">After the bath time there is usually an opportunity to get close up photos with some of the elephants. Depending on the day different elephants are close. Elephants show true compassion. Jokia is blind. Her abusive history is well documented on the websites mentioned above. When she arrived at the camp another elephant, Mae Perm adopted Jokia. They are inseparable and always among the tourist favorites. There are elephants who because of their injuries do not lay down because they would not be able to stand again. One such elephant has a best friend who come and stands next to her, then they lean into each other and sleep. </div><div class="MsoNormal">Mid afternoon finds the guests in the conference room for refreshments, and educational DVD and sometimes a live talk by the founder. Having seen the film on numerous occasions I took the opportunity to relax for a bit with a great massage. The park has a massage room offering both foot massage and Thai massage. The massage room is one of several community involvement programs that are ongoing at the park. It’s a great value and the massage ladies are really very good. </div><div class="MsoNormal">The last couple of hours afford the guests the opportunity to relax, or spend more time in close proximity to the elephants. </div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-MNYuq7RY1c4/Tvz-m2uHArI/AAAAAAAABNw/n5gx1bPTDAg/s1600/20111228_%2540JN_0252.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="265" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-MNYuq7RY1c4/Tvz-m2uHArI/AAAAAAAABNw/n5gx1bPTDAg/s400/20111228_%2540JN_0252.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b><i>Afternoon Photo Opportunity</i></b></td></tr>
</tbody></table><div class="MsoNormal">Somewhere around 4:30 the guests head back to Chiang Mai always happy to have seen the elephants and to have learned about their plight. There is one common complaint. People simply don’t want to leave. My solution is to sign up for at least one night. The extra day affords you a morning walk in the fields to see the elephants and more time to enjoy the park as a whole.</div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Cqxy1R_Eg48/Tvz_hIVy-tI/AAAAAAAABN8/yah7cqsu1Wc/s1600/20111018_%2540JN_509.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="132" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Cqxy1R_Eg48/Tvz_hIVy-tI/AAAAAAAABN8/yah7cqsu1Wc/s400/20111018_%2540JN_509.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i><b>Mud Bath in the morning<br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: left;"><br />
</div></b></i></td></tr>
</tbody></table><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div>Jerry Nelsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14205179587203503931noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5704921067011011025.post-43050213768493872842011-12-20T07:27:00.001+07:002011-12-20T07:27:22.337+07:00Pang Pornsawan - December 16, 2012<div class="MsoNormal">She is doing well, my favorite elephant, Pang Pornsawan. A couple of days ago I went to the hospital at the Thai Elephant Conservation Center to visit her. For some, looking at her maimed foot may be difficult, but I remember it when the wound was fresh. A lot of healing is evident. </div><br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhD3AwCFCJAjLiKkEwZYZxQFTKWcJTHZjafBYnwHzHEgnb9qOsDyT5NHLpar3FN9Wg1QBwT_CH3XdojbAJU7Dl-tXCasjJzFPKkftmKsNotbXXCLT7L1h7l_PJ5lkl7hzhdBsM4oa1Xqilc/s1600/20111216_%2540JN_0011.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="265" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhD3AwCFCJAjLiKkEwZYZxQFTKWcJTHZjafBYnwHzHEgnb9qOsDyT5NHLpar3FN9Wg1QBwT_CH3XdojbAJU7Dl-tXCasjJzFPKkftmKsNotbXXCLT7L1h7l_PJ5lkl7hzhdBsM4oa1Xqilc/s400/20111216_%2540JN_0011.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b>16 December 2011</b></td></tr>
</tbody></table><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">The chief doctor was not available on Friday and the young veterinarian who is applying the treatment speaks no English. I did learn that the treatments continue to consist of twice daily cleaning the wounded area and applying medicines to prevent infection. In the past the prognosis had been that she would be in hospital approximately one year. She’s now been there about 4 months. When asked how long this time, the young vet replied “Two years or less”. In the past the prognosis has always been a year.</div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjP46zw6EwEwRLYeTxeP4-n-CVrQiSaN9M_7AFUe5SMRZCgapimXDdWNr-zzI-jAtZYsGkO1i_JdAwo9bbkY3TRAdpjrDLWlCSaN-Obn76qX77kkN_c3IVoXj4Zle-KCRApqmInfgK50kTa/s1600/20111216_%2540JN_0033.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="265" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjP46zw6EwEwRLYeTxeP4-n-CVrQiSaN9M_7AFUe5SMRZCgapimXDdWNr-zzI-jAtZYsGkO1i_JdAwo9bbkY3TRAdpjrDLWlCSaN-Obn76qX77kkN_c3IVoXj4Zle-KCRApqmInfgK50kTa/s400/20111216_%2540JN_0033.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b>Daily Treatment </b></td></tr>
</tbody></table><div class="MsoNormal">There is no way yet, that this gal can put any weight at all on her left rear foot. She’s compensating. To walk she puts her two front feet slightly ahead of body then hops forward with her right rear. She may never win an elephant race, but she will survive and once released from hospital she’ll have the opportunity to spend the rest of her life in sanctuary with other elephants at the Elephant Nature Park. There she will meet two other land mine victims, but that’s a story for the future.</div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZH8qO9loLdVJHY1csPP5owRVd2fxb2V2wj77_-rliZJ-GXeVKIFz21W0Pst9nqd5S8vzqsU9n3tmde-MS8Bo0451Qb30ltMvIPq3z2R43Xnu6MqMvOTBQ4Fd7HMvCVVXguYpH_jCtk7IN/s1600/20111216_%2540JN_0056.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="265" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZH8qO9loLdVJHY1csPP5owRVd2fxb2V2wj77_-rliZJ-GXeVKIFz21W0Pst9nqd5S8vzqsU9n3tmde-MS8Bo0451Qb30ltMvIPq3z2R43Xnu6MqMvOTBQ4Fd7HMvCVVXguYpH_jCtk7IN/s400/20111216_%2540JN_0056.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br />
</td></tr>
</tbody></table><div class="MsoNormal">I continue to be amazed by her disposition. I’m not a person who wants to get all ‘cuddly’ with every elephant I see. Pang is different. From the first time I met her back in August there seems to be a magical connection between us. I can’t explain it, and if I could you would think I’ve gone off my rocker. I feel like she knows I’m there to support her in her recovery and sometimes I get the sense that she may know what profound effect she is having on my attitude. She motivates me to do more and more. </div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9WySe1ChDWIanUc4J4gZanNtAEAhyphenhyphennQuJIl7JN7yvRsLJsJVTiwdLcZCxEqkINuxJyw1x4YthgEl6VgXjhVx3D0Cpo10ey0aS_ybaVUb-FHJQ1mbDUtQRQvreIcFnOLPd4AprZowd7IwD/s1600/20111216_%2540JN_0054.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="265" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9WySe1ChDWIanUc4J4gZanNtAEAhyphenhyphennQuJIl7JN7yvRsLJsJVTiwdLcZCxEqkINuxJyw1x4YthgEl6VgXjhVx3D0Cpo10ey0aS_ybaVUb-FHJQ1mbDUtQRQvreIcFnOLPd4AprZowd7IwD/s400/20111216_%2540JN_0054.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b><span style="color: #741b47;">She is lovely! </span></b></td></tr>
</tbody></table><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div>Jerry Nelsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14205179587203503931noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5704921067011011025.post-71480875303619945232011-12-20T07:13:00.000+07:002011-12-20T07:13:48.415+07:00Pang Pornsawan's Christmas Message to MeSo, I’m standing close to her, gently patting her face when she looks at me with her big brown eye and asks what’s troubling me. <table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDVVRDft7-ObjECTnrVuE3QLxFs0yJGSWBfXL6OWaiYn00eMIRfxJi0Ns8uto2LpzMU0Gvc2Hph_3HgMhnlqlYHHtgxvlzGgAaW4K9tc_hOEX13cocFe6R5zR04ctWBX_STC58uuDtKSgL/s1600/20111216_%2540JN_0052.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDVVRDft7-ObjECTnrVuE3QLxFs0yJGSWBfXL6OWaiYn00eMIRfxJi0Ns8uto2LpzMU0Gvc2Hph_3HgMhnlqlYHHtgxvlzGgAaW4K9tc_hOEX13cocFe6R5zR04ctWBX_STC58uuDtKSgL/s400/20111216_%2540JN_0052.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b><span style="color: red;">A visit with Pang Pornsawan on December 16, 2012</span></b></td></tr>
</tbody></table> “The art sale event” I say. Lowering my voice to an inaudible whisper I share my concerns that people aren't rushing to buy the prints that are available. She understands that as an artist I don’t want to lower prices but then she reminds me that it’s the Christmas season. “Christmas was an extremely important Christian holiday which has been perverted by commercial greed” I argue. Now she’s silent, fully present and waiting. “Oh alright, I’ll have a sale like everyone else” I told her. Pang’s message is clear as a bell on a cold crisp night <span style="color: purple; font-weight: bold;">“Do the Art Sale Event for love and leave the results up to the spirit of Christmas”. </span>I can do that.<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLgjD-UJZX01-_Auk3Dxy1h0bPs3CEvdfkA6oa41L7Mtk1UvCOhDvV4kmypbtvBUBzt46W4pfDL4bYTMvnP-1pOl1yC1mH7katKd_zOOP7XmD3BrS8SNnvtq-SDoDIrvO5OmhorBT0pNm9/s1600/Poster3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLgjD-UJZX01-_Auk3Dxy1h0bPs3CEvdfkA6oa41L7Mtk1UvCOhDvV4kmypbtvBUBzt46W4pfDL4bYTMvnP-1pOl1yC1mH7katKd_zOOP7XmD3BrS8SNnvtq-SDoDIrvO5OmhorBT0pNm9/s400/Poster3.jpg" width="282" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #cc0000;">Buy your tickets now! </span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>There are four beautiful canvas prints available at Taste From Heaven in Chaing Mai. The price is reduced by 30% for the holidays. Pop in, buy one, roll it up, stick it in a mailing tube and you have a perfect art piece to take or send back home.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhR9kjIny-zM5eXM_HFikqgVTUrGGi05ObkAMe-sbqdDzdyi68qL58ma_jmWoZ_Im9nhLcXJ_is0K8m6cSnZ_TsNLNjxAOlOQPBb5EZzJOqjLYOTFeqnEYGMKuA4TEpXzS5l1J583_Qz2vj/s1600/BuyMe_1+copy.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="270" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhR9kjIny-zM5eXM_HFikqgVTUrGGi05ObkAMe-sbqdDzdyi68qL58ma_jmWoZ_Im9nhLcXJ_is0K8m6cSnZ_TsNLNjxAOlOQPBb5EZzJOqjLYOTFeqnEYGMKuA4TEpXzS5l1J583_Qz2vj/s400/BuyMe_1+copy.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiKuBRvYYMb99MXtoDuPoFJH56Dc1V9mMWI-z6HVY6I66Zas-rkVQwDTo6zaNeFDa6xoglOPG6osukXLc4p_J7h6LOQEnlT1vOxMoNiclY8YQxmiIcg0-XI0a4XNFP1Fai3qV4HRSi2BvXj/s1600/Buyme_2+copy.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="270" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiKuBRvYYMb99MXtoDuPoFJH56Dc1V9mMWI-z6HVY6I66Zas-rkVQwDTo6zaNeFDa6xoglOPG6osukXLc4p_J7h6LOQEnlT1vOxMoNiclY8YQxmiIcg0-XI0a4XNFP1Fai3qV4HRSi2BvXj/s400/Buyme_2+copy.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhG0o9FFVo9ioZRgPfHoSAKuKwLav2ABa38ZQxYYRyqTw8xXV-JVO1I7y5GYDBqV647lYXw6RaCOoTZnBDN94cO_B8zyRXzwXsZabG018-A0-AeWcjdqXDVz_yC6bg3PwSjT8LnWivDF62J/s1600/BuyNow_WhiteTemple+copy.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="270" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhG0o9FFVo9ioZRgPfHoSAKuKwLav2ABa38ZQxYYRyqTw8xXV-JVO1I7y5GYDBqV647lYXw6RaCOoTZnBDN94cO_B8zyRXzwXsZabG018-A0-AeWcjdqXDVz_yC6bg3PwSjT8LnWivDF62J/s400/BuyNow_WhiteTemple+copy.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiL-CmFoOChmk9Js621e67SpGrLto51ZeHfRmxOTtB04FSo-8zgmUJ5X26g6vIK-UFwQSr79qnf78_lQRyHXDaq9Pvgb-yvuqQXVVIEHSIGxhPqnHof6k9IfAvZgAbPAuZ4SQrFzF6wmDo2/s1600/Untitled-1+copy.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="270" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiL-CmFoOChmk9Js621e67SpGrLto51ZeHfRmxOTtB04FSo-8zgmUJ5X26g6vIK-UFwQSr79qnf78_lQRyHXDaq9Pvgb-yvuqQXVVIEHSIGxhPqnHof6k9IfAvZgAbPAuZ4SQrFzF6wmDo2/s400/Untitled-1+copy.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br />
Abundant Blessings,<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal"> </div>Jerry Nelsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14205179587203503931noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5704921067011011025.post-13289082448539754142011-11-24T09:06:00.000+07:002011-11-24T09:06:11.410+07:00Art Sale Event Moved to 21 January 2012<div class="MsoNormal">With my personal apologies for any inconvenience this may cause, it is necessary to re-schedule Pang Pornsawan’s Art Sale Event. The new date will be Saturday January 21, 2012. The event will still be held at Taste From Heaven in Chiang Mai.</div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">Why was the event rescheduled? The Bangkok floods have caused several challenges not the least of which is that several pieces of art being shipped from outside Thailand have not arrived. Further, many of the supporters of this event are involved in rescue and relief projects in the Bangkok area and cannot attend.</div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">The January 21<sup>st</sup> edition of The Pang Pornsawan Art promises to be bigger and better than what we had planned for this Saturday. Tickets are on sale now at both Taste From Heaven and the Elephant Nature Park Office. You can also buy your tickets on line at <a href="http://www.jerrynelsonphoto.com/">Art Sale Event</a></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">Abundant Blessings, </div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">I saw Pang’s doctor in Surin on Saturday. She is responding favorably to the treatments. New skin is growing as he had hoped. Her prognosis remains the same, she’ll spend about a year in hospital.</div>Jerry Nelsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14205179587203503931noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5704921067011011025.post-73107500661706070322011-11-08T16:47:00.002+07:002011-11-08T16:52:11.934+07:00Two Visits to the Elephant Nature Park<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div style="text-align: -webkit-auto;">In the midst of all the activity I've overlooked reporting that the Elephant Nature Park is still there and is doing fine. Mae Rim, above Chiang Mai has not been in flood danger for over a month. However, it was still rainy and the sky was majical. </div><div><br />
</div><br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJSVp0zKQL_SvQi23jN4hqqxgEWNXwPlP2xwvCxlANmT0nXEP2qxGVF4L6vc8nRw0ZAcos-nEyZtwX0lAX7S22Xeqf8hdr0txUR7EdCl5VEWpuu-De-EtmIqvv_OzFfJNZ7TiXfHh3dedi/s1600/20111018_%2540JN_378b+copy.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJSVp0zKQL_SvQi23jN4hqqxgEWNXwPlP2xwvCxlANmT0nXEP2qxGVF4L6vc8nRw0ZAcos-nEyZtwX0lAX7S22Xeqf8hdr0txUR7EdCl5VEWpuu-De-EtmIqvv_OzFfJNZ7TiXfHh3dedi/s400/20111018_%2540JN_378b+copy.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b><i>After the Rain</i></b></td></tr>
</tbody></table>The last few trips have resulted in several nice photographs and if you are new to the notificaion list your picture just might be in one or more. You can check them out at <a href="http://s935.photobucket.com/albums/ad200/jnelson1944/ENP_20111018/">http://s935.photobucket.com/albums/ad200/jnelson1944/ENP_20111018/</a><br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjtNdlTPtteBTqYmk8yNc8rymjQR2DVdS007XooNHwk0AV1vn10m8XzUita5CDYFDlK_IYQHc-ZfsjREGwCwnkXN9TNNuxh_tRhChDWGN9pG03jel8-cqxrtqMVKHh-KoS4M8xFfV8kDAI8/s1600/20111018_%2540JN_295.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjtNdlTPtteBTqYmk8yNc8rymjQR2DVdS007XooNHwk0AV1vn10m8XzUita5CDYFDlK_IYQHc-ZfsjREGwCwnkXN9TNNuxh_tRhChDWGN9pG03jel8-cqxrtqMVKHh-KoS4M8xFfV8kDAI8/s400/20111018_%2540JN_295.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b><i>A good mud hole is always a welcome sight, even if they will plant a tree in it tomorrow!</i></b></td></tr>
</tbody></table>The highlight of the 18th was the arrival of the memorial trees which were planted in Memory of Lek's mother and her God mother "Mom Nancy". Unfortunately the trees arrived at dusk and some planting had to be postponed. <br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKYeamLu_mhnM6uM_AVzm1tIWPjxksRimGRkTA5tFblTMt7d1B2-A9bDuo5tl1AHv5mzsBoGDO63mJlYfKWa2PfdfCjS3yf4YIP_YielK4sKcWjSkkYCnIoBZnl41hlJL-H9p9SShCwtTV/s1600/20111024_%2540JN_322.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="265" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKYeamLu_mhnM6uM_AVzm1tIWPjxksRimGRkTA5tFblTMt7d1B2-A9bDuo5tl1AHv5mzsBoGDO63mJlYfKWa2PfdfCjS3yf4YIP_YielK4sKcWjSkkYCnIoBZnl41hlJL-H9p9SShCwtTV/s400/20111024_%2540JN_322.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Add caption</td></tr>
</tbody></table><br />
<a href="http://s935.photobucket.com/albums/ad200/jnelson1944/ENP_20111024/">http://s935.photobucket.com/albums/ad200/jnelson1944/ENP_20111024/</a><br />
<br />
The highliht of the 21st was being able to spend the day with Connie and a few of her friends from California. It was also great to see that the memorial trees had been planted along with a few others.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhlRPBCqXMMA2b319-5TnIG2OcP1bpJ2zDsPodNXIwM4v9TtEV7CVhzUZbfmI9voFlSuD6lTbZH8HWebA0N3G6YPmK1e-FpTFLmzaG1umWqKDL-FXuNRuhxeYMylx8ZMuAcz5VLexUkUrL7/s1600/20111024_%2540JN_207.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="265" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhlRPBCqXMMA2b319-5TnIG2OcP1bpJ2zDsPodNXIwM4v9TtEV7CVhzUZbfmI9voFlSuD6lTbZH8HWebA0N3G6YPmK1e-FpTFLmzaG1umWqKDL-FXuNRuhxeYMylx8ZMuAcz5VLexUkUrL7/s400/20111024_%2540JN_207.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgoHyg8E_UVxaDtI7qy5IESqO3iODSP0IQh2wZPcUVQYzP356YWZ_4iLvZyYB1NqmtU9qbMRpDf5FF5w8a-guj4wXYnVnfx5KUpLHtJGMNLqqhPG1rDNk54Ni0dZ7ldMraTxZ9cw9Smiouk/s1600/20111024_%2540JN_141.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="265" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgoHyg8E_UVxaDtI7qy5IESqO3iODSP0IQh2wZPcUVQYzP356YWZ_4iLvZyYB1NqmtU9qbMRpDf5FF5w8a-guj4wXYnVnfx5KUpLHtJGMNLqqhPG1rDNk54Ni0dZ7ldMraTxZ9cw9Smiouk/s400/20111024_%2540JN_141.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br />
<br />
The park is doing well, the volunteers are amazing. Many of the volunteers have gone with Lek and the foundation to the flood waters of Bangkok where they are fighting to save as many stranded animals as possible.<br />
<br />
Abundant Blessings,<br />
<div><br />
</div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div>Jerry Nelsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14205179587203503931noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5704921067011011025.post-38315088848311628352011-10-10T16:11:00.000+07:002011-10-10T16:11:23.787+07:00Tickets Go On Sale !Pang Pornsawan's Art Sale is a reality! Tickets go on sale in Chiang Mai tomorrow! You can actually buy the on line today. Please check the website now and frequently in the coming days to see all the good news at <a href="http://www.jerrynelsonphoto.com/">Pang Pornsawan's Art Sale Event</a><br />
<br />
I won't write much today other than to encourage you to check the website and ask you to pass this on to your friends: There are several ways you can help:<br />
<br />
a. Help get the word out! Share this everywhere!<br />
<br />
b. Donate Art for auction or for sale on line. So far there are 7 donating artists. I would like to see that grow to more than 20 in the next week!<br />
<br />
c. Buy a ticket and attend. Attend with the intent of buying one of these great art pieces.<br />
<br />
d. Buy a ticket as a donation<br />
<br />
e. Recommend to me vendors I can contact for door prizes and gift bag items. Currently we are promising a gift bag with over 500 baht for the two higher tiers of ticket purchasers. I'd really like to double or triple that!<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div>Remember, ALL PROCEEDS from this event go to help Pang Pornsawan. She definitely deserves our help!!<br />
<br />
Abundant Blessings,<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjtk4_9pn9wGtf5eGKm6W6EbiB-fFvPOsjEt3gE0v1uK_r5WzlefOHjnKeihwiyN0dxcLYSZxOkqbClRaK-DXS2LOftmXmPR2bjuItG5ECYjb_i-Ne5RTG9xjwBoDAQWyBOBRf3djWsxFVB/s1600/20110919_%25C2%25A9JN_023.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjtk4_9pn9wGtf5eGKm6W6EbiB-fFvPOsjEt3gE0v1uK_r5WzlefOHjnKeihwiyN0dxcLYSZxOkqbClRaK-DXS2LOftmXmPR2bjuItG5ECYjb_i-Ne5RTG9xjwBoDAQWyBOBRf3djWsxFVB/s400/20110919_%25C2%25A9JN_023.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Pang is #6 on the Daily Treatment Board</td></tr>
</tbody></table>Jerry Nelsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14205179587203503931noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5704921067011011025.post-48984461693117134532011-09-22T07:32:00.002+07:002011-09-22T07:32:45.713+07:00Video of Pang Pornsawan's Recovery<a href="http://www.youtube.com/user/chiangtvthai">http://www.youtube.com/user/chiangtvthai</a> contains great video clips of Pang Pornsawan's road to recovery. Follow her recovery here and at the link<br />
<br />
Abundant Blessings<br />
<br />Jerry Nelsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14205179587203503931noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5704921067011011025.post-29036275127464763522011-09-21T18:19:00.002+07:002011-09-21T18:31:49.319+07:00Pang Pornsawan Update - as of 19 September 2011<br />
Pang Pornsawan Update<br />
as of 19 September 2011<br />
<br />
Pang Pornsawan, the beautiful elephant who stepped on a line mine on August 23d and has been in The Thai Elephant Conservation Center Hospital since the 31st of August is making great progress in her recovery. According to Dr. Sittidet Mahasawangkul, Chief of Elephant Hospital, she is progressing better than expected. There is new skin growing in the wounded area, months ahead of the original predictions. Still, the prognosis is that she will remain in hospital for approximately one year.<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjW5C92NT64iFFniRx0I51dGYzPXByFSTSrJ0ceRHeZ92_B5q8WsmlsRsKG5XgAXKNoLycY6Hbc09EdlOHqHJNtP48cSghlimYYgBdb79CblN4dzspRLSR85X2Nl1TGLmjCmdo13XsVK4Hv/s1600/20110919_%25C2%25A9JN_133+copy.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjW5C92NT64iFFniRx0I51dGYzPXByFSTSrJ0ceRHeZ92_B5q8WsmlsRsKG5XgAXKNoLycY6Hbc09EdlOHqHJNtP48cSghlimYYgBdb79CblN4dzspRLSR85X2Nl1TGLmjCmdo13XsVK4Hv/s400/20110919_%25C2%25A9JN_133+copy.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Dr. Sittidet Mahasawangkul</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
This elephant is receiving two treatments a day. They consist of sterilizing the wound, cleaning out the cavity created by the explosion, and trimming dead skin. Although she receives pain killers, it’s obvious to even the casual observer that the treatments are painful. <br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4sdy26GXcQVCjJfwy1KFycFICIBEt8N5aYsqTrV-UG7ocDUJ4ebH_H6U2ux4u-ud9EpCtET8zKLmWRG7gGSNAIwKQt1w8x2A36FCsPxoPzydozJOLG_47ggUNG1iq0Uv2D_sbvnLyQUHH/s1600/20110919_%25C2%25A9JN_027.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4sdy26GXcQVCjJfwy1KFycFICIBEt8N5aYsqTrV-UG7ocDUJ4ebH_H6U2ux4u-ud9EpCtET8zKLmWRG7gGSNAIwKQt1w8x2A36FCsPxoPzydozJOLG_47ggUNG1iq0Uv2D_sbvnLyQUHH/s400/20110919_%25C2%25A9JN_027.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Ready for Treatment</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
When I said goodbye to Pang Pornsawan on the 31st of August there was less tension in her mannerisms. The shock seems to have worn off and now she is going through the treatments with her same gentile attitude. In order to give her the treatments she has her bad leg strapped to a support, her other legs hobbled and someone holds her tail out of the doctor’s way. She has to stay in this uncomfortable position for the time the treatment takes. Her behavior is exemplary. Yes when the pain gets bad, she complains by verbalizing and trunk slapping. Still, she is very gentle with the humans around her. She hasn’t attempted to hit or kick anyone. <br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZAAvyUkITEGeKudYpQTd0JNmjlfBQREB34QWdwFk6LwjEg2x5WyyrUbgbmkXdaA-oI9kwq0ow4vxPBJHeQf3wzuyAwB7hpknJcZcrF3BLh6YtlH8uasKCiPxAJJbyuXBZTCYmbesoKkBz/s1600/20110919_%25C2%25A9JN_058.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="265" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZAAvyUkITEGeKudYpQTd0JNmjlfBQREB34QWdwFk6LwjEg2x5WyyrUbgbmkXdaA-oI9kwq0ow4vxPBJHeQf3wzuyAwB7hpknJcZcrF3BLh6YtlH8uasKCiPxAJJbyuXBZTCYmbesoKkBz/s400/20110919_%25C2%25A9JN_058.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgzP6rV0j_MtIz6Om6jVvDGyNuMFZ4iyToAdU1wFa1hS4N4jGdG4GhNJeYMMCfnjv8yFBVvNCJk4TjBe5XfVAxUEW3QBzBvvFg1D0HDk3npq6L3LW0fWVUyfu_i8yADQ9qeRAeZmgnr3oKS/s1600/20110919_%25C2%25A9JN_128.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="265" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgzP6rV0j_MtIz6Om6jVvDGyNuMFZ4iyToAdU1wFa1hS4N4jGdG4GhNJeYMMCfnjv8yFBVvNCJk4TjBe5XfVAxUEW3QBzBvvFg1D0HDk3npq6L3LW0fWVUyfu_i8yADQ9qeRAeZmgnr3oKS/s400/20110919_%25C2%25A9JN_128.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Treatment Time</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
In addition to the two treatments, she also receives an IV of anti-biotic medicine every morning.<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFWXFuOP1aQ3N3ATl0nVfNOEeox-ydEaZT-GhOFiSyLisLJa2iXdpJdRgzINp_RwvGW35zS3oNPULXsAJ3kF4SnBT9jASxhA78o8o86Qz2UkWdfB9d3VsBTRj2H1uVB-ez_luzm_pq6R45/s1600/20110919_%25C2%25A9JN_152.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFWXFuOP1aQ3N3ATl0nVfNOEeox-ydEaZT-GhOFiSyLisLJa2iXdpJdRgzINp_RwvGW35zS3oNPULXsAJ3kF4SnBT9jASxhA78o8o86Qz2UkWdfB9d3VsBTRj2H1uVB-ez_luzm_pq6R45/s400/20110919_%25C2%25A9JN_152.jpg" width="266" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">IV is best way to fight infection</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
The team effort to care for Pang Pornsawan continues and will continue. The TECC hospital is knowledgeable, professional and dedicated to the care of the elephants in their charge. Pang Pornsawan seems to be a favorite. Immediately on her arriveal, The Save Elephant Foundation dispatched two mahouts to stay with and care for Pang Pornsawan. The foundation also makes weekly visits. The visits always include a truck load of food for her.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghTAcKaPzxJde9K7Xh6SS_9an_jfEwJ_pK8XpbWoZqWlj64_biFCrJwh0baWI5CXY9_CctfPe_JQjZkP9egDiXSagu-LqtqJOjCWj9mIvnPmnmJGn5l9i1Mj8nqMj4sr9OfL3ws27YgVTP/s1600/20110919_%25C2%25A9JN_033.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="212" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghTAcKaPzxJde9K7Xh6SS_9an_jfEwJ_pK8XpbWoZqWlj64_biFCrJwh0baWI5CXY9_CctfPe_JQjZkP9egDiXSagu-LqtqJOjCWj9mIvnPmnmJGn5l9i1Mj8nqMj4sr9OfL3ws27YgVTP/s320/20110919_%25C2%25A9JN_033.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
Arrangements have been made to ensure that after her hospitalization, Pang Pornsawan will be able to live out her life at the Elephant Nature Park. This is a huge commitment! I had thought about doing an art sale to raise money. The plan is only slightly modified; ALL the money raised will go to help defray the expenses of Pang Pornsawan's hospital stay. Can you get involved? If so send me an email or give me a call.<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_IOB4tmQITTK1-XbbUr0cJXyfsUx7KgfhNfB91seMtmd09lMX7nsBH2Is9ZjEPCeT1m0gqL0sIyCEN1jTcox44ZlCZW7y_1ZBDASlElsNpaLfaT5OAALKM_gSmK22jIFktbC86WJQepdT/s1600/20110920_%25C2%25A9JN_005a.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_IOB4tmQITTK1-XbbUr0cJXyfsUx7KgfhNfB91seMtmd09lMX7nsBH2Is9ZjEPCeT1m0gqL0sIyCEN1jTcox44ZlCZW7y_1ZBDASlElsNpaLfaT5OAALKM_gSmK22jIFktbC86WJQepdT/s400/20110920_%25C2%25A9JN_005a.jpg" width="230" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Taste from Heaven will host the art event</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj662xqcERsaWQRB3Fl_dJUYcYd_5DGPOzj2Zg3_NeRWezl28oAqgjWN9ggtZZWWCjD20aKJ2RLaBG9kTlKVS2KeF9W15UGGNd-_i6hQQz4l_h6OFYJRaQPuw51Hmlm7OZ1haV7I8DjEOR8/s1600/MagazineAd+copy.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="367" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj662xqcERsaWQRB3Fl_dJUYcYd_5DGPOzj2Zg3_NeRWezl28oAqgjWN9ggtZZWWCjD20aKJ2RLaBG9kTlKVS2KeF9W15UGGNd-_i6hQQz4l_h6OFYJRaQPuw51Hmlm7OZ1haV7I8DjEOR8/s400/MagazineAd+copy.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">This is the ad that I am placing in publications</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
Last for this post, here is a link to a video of Dr. Sittidet explaining PangPornsawan's situation. It's in Thai with English Sub-titles. Well done and well worth watching.<br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="background-color: white; font-family: Verdana, Helvetica, Arial; font-size: 12px;"><a href="http://www.youtube.com/user/chiangtvthai" style="color: #0000cc;" target="_blank">http://www.youtube.com/user/<wbr></wbr>chiangtvthai</a></span><br />
<br />
<br />
Abundant Blessings,<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />Jerry Nelsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14205179587203503931noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5704921067011011025.post-45449012298879935882011-09-04T07:17:00.002+07:002011-09-04T07:21:31.002+07:00SAVE THE DATE: Saturday 26 November 2011<div class="MsoNormal"><b><br />
</b></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgoc7pIkIHIDB6TiWjCdIC-sh2ipJleiELSE-D4bco6R_vtTKCoo4SUt9ej1HPeR021lXTtXnEfQ4hHD0LggMdfrlp8uUw4_fWfKvQUCLNve0jU1GmuB_9thkWrv8dpASO_xgtLgHmqMMCc/s1600/20110831_JN%25C2%25A9_232.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgoc7pIkIHIDB6TiWjCdIC-sh2ipJleiELSE-D4bco6R_vtTKCoo4SUt9ej1HPeR021lXTtXnEfQ4hHD0LggMdfrlp8uUw4_fWfKvQUCLNve0jU1GmuB_9thkWrv8dpASO_xgtLgHmqMMCc/s400/20110831_JN%25C2%25A9_232.jpg" width="265" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b><i>Pang Pornsawan, 8/31/11</i></b></td></tr>
</tbody></table><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
<div class="MsoNormal"><b>WHAT:</b><span style="font-weight: bold;"> </span>Art sale / auction is being organized.<span style="font-weight: bold;"> </span><b>ALL proceeds will be donated to the Save Elephant Foundation and earmarked for the medical care and rescue of Pang Pornsawan </b>(The 18 year old female who recently stepped on a landmine). Please be generous with your time, your art and perhaps your money as well. </div></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><b>WHEN</b>: on Saturday 26 November 2011 there will be an art sale and I need YOU to make it a success! </div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><b>TIME:</b><b> </b> Afternoon & Evening Exact Times to be announced.</div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: Cambria, serif;"><br />
</span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: Cambria, serif;"><b>WHERE</b>: Taste from Heaven Restaurant, 237-239 Thapae Road, A. Muang, Chiang Mai Thailand. Phone: +66 (0) 53-208803, <a href="http://www.taste4heaven.com/">www.taste4heaven.com</a><o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><b>ARTIST DONATIONS NEEDED:</b> We are asking artists to donate one or more pieces of your art to this event. Photographs, sketches, painting, carvings. Art pieces are being collected at the Elephant Nature Park Office in Chiang Mai. Please contact me for details.</div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><b>DOOR PRIZE DONATIONS NEEDED:</b> This is a great way to advertise your business or organization. Please contact me for details.</div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><b>THE EVENT</b> will include: </div><div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpFirst" style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;"></div><ul><li>a.<span style="font: normal normal normal 7pt/normal 'Times New Roman';"> </span>Delicious Vegetarian Buffet & soft drinks of your choice</li>
<li>b.<span style="font: normal normal normal 7pt/normal 'Times New Roman';"> </span>Door Prizes Galore</li>
<li>c.<span style="font: normal normal normal 7pt/normal 'Times New Roman';"> </span>Artist Interaction</li>
<li>d.<span style="font: normal normal normal 7pt/normal 'Times New Roman';"> </span>Silent Auction of art pieces</li>
</ul><br />
<div class="MsoNormal"><b>TICKETS:</b> Advance tickets for only 500 baht go on sale soon. They will be available at Taste from Heaven, and the Elephant Nature Park Office.<o:p></o:p></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div>Jerry Nelsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14205179587203503931noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5704921067011011025.post-53601221894685831832011-09-02T00:40:00.000+07:002011-09-02T00:40:03.922+07:00The Incompete Story of Pang Pornsawan & Her Friends<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="background-color: black;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: white;"></span></span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; font-family: 'Times New Roman'; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: black; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 12pt;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: white;">I title this the incomplete story for at least two reasons: 1<sup>st</sup> I don’t know the whole story and likely never will, 2<sup>nd</sup> thanks to several wonderful people Pang Pornsawan’s story is not over, not over by a long shot. <o:p></o:p></span></span></span></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjkze2wr8IxPyqDWYD-n_9vN2slX8LOVGGYy3z5YxXk_cOXDSZZ3hNnxsJrm-b01GxsllOYUf_E_dLwsvF3pfiizRWBm3apA24-VpZwmB78zqjoI909Csz6DjSxw5Rp4wmL4S8bPq9UbPiR/s1600/20110831_JN%25C2%25A9_048.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="265" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjkze2wr8IxPyqDWYD-n_9vN2slX8LOVGGYy3z5YxXk_cOXDSZZ3hNnxsJrm-b01GxsllOYUf_E_dLwsvF3pfiizRWBm3apA24-VpZwmB78zqjoI909Csz6DjSxw5Rp4wmL4S8bPq9UbPiR/s400/20110831_JN%25C2%25A9_048.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Pang Porsawan has a snack<br />
</td></tr>
</tbody></table><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 15px;"><br />
</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;"><div class="MsoNormal" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; font-family: 'Times New Roman'; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: black; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: white;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">On 30 August 20011, The Elephant Nature Park received an urgent phone call from the Karen headman in a village known as Tavor.</span><span style="font-size: 12pt;"> </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">It is in Amphur Tasongyang, Chanwat Tak, Thailand. (If you want to find it on a map, get a very large map and search the Thai / Burmese border in the Tak province). The headman was asking for help to save Pang Pornsawan.</span><span style="font-size: 12pt;"> </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">This 18 year old female elephant had stepped on a land mine.</span><span style="font-size: 12pt;"> </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">Sangduen “Lek” </span><span style="font-size: 12pt;"> </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">Chailert, the founder of Save Elephant Foundation immediately dispatched the vet team and mobile clinic from the park.</span><span style="font-size: 12pt;"> </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">It’s about an 8 hour drive from Chiang Mai.<o:p></o:p></span></span></span></div></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;"><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2i9ujUUldKoMiBEgJY1MauyU30sP0mQLbKmELE2_Q_IHNEyh1KlsGHJboeII8PglsNERFxjIMMkVLjLAfOfcE7v2aqYvS6ISmw2i8MuJUWl0-Ad2NHi-KU6IroqrVAobhDdV2Y3L-f_a2/s1600/20110831_JN%25C2%25A9_115.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2i9ujUUldKoMiBEgJY1MauyU30sP0mQLbKmELE2_Q_IHNEyh1KlsGHJboeII8PglsNERFxjIMMkVLjLAfOfcE7v2aqYvS6ISmw2i8MuJUWl0-Ad2NHi-KU6IroqrVAobhDdV2Y3L-f_a2/s400/20110831_JN%25C2%25A9_115.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Dr. Prasit & Mr. Song Muang </td></tr>
</tbody></table></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="background-color: black; color: white; font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 16px;"> </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;"><div class="MsoNormal" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; font-family: 'Times New Roman'; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: black; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 12pt;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: white;">At the village they found this young <span> </span>elephant name, who may also be in the early stages of pregnancy, <span> </span>standing shaking and her left rear leg.<span> </span>It is horribly damaged from the landmine explosion . The bottom of the goot is gone! There are incredible rips and tears in the skin extending some <span> </span>24 inches up to the leg. There is shrapnel, a lot of shrapnel imbedded in the wound.<span> </span>The wound was filthy and was described as smelly and rotten.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiVkXEKvftZvlTC-W9-mfshZcIkaEm1fW94thAMw6vOKoSBOceny9ZsO6Mlf-DfHXqo88nHiOxTujXcCiTfpFUg21b1np2VXYZj3jgeX_GccZKZYIZeAKGAjHqTiam-8UxQx5Nq2hPhLZCa/s1600/20110831_JN%25C2%25A9_042.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="265" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiVkXEKvftZvlTC-W9-mfshZcIkaEm1fW94thAMw6vOKoSBOceny9ZsO6Mlf-DfHXqo88nHiOxTujXcCiTfpFUg21b1np2VXYZj3jgeX_GccZKZYIZeAKGAjHqTiam-8UxQx5Nq2hPhLZCa/s400/20110831_JN%25C2%25A9_042.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Raw Wound</td></tr>
</tbody></table><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8fENiCYP7dWKnNqiRrWBwbW6JyWbiTKw2BZyAWws8agcPYpvuZWtHvp_i94jt-2D6KoyyaQMk_BNuUkZD1BxdodjveuO5gVvup5cD8OwK7GTlIbm-TpoFogR20vxo8dyAPmIU4FRgWzIG/s1600/20110831_JN%25C2%25A9_064.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8fENiCYP7dWKnNqiRrWBwbW6JyWbiTKw2BZyAWws8agcPYpvuZWtHvp_i94jt-2D6KoyyaQMk_BNuUkZD1BxdodjveuO5gVvup5cD8OwK7GTlIbm-TpoFogR20vxo8dyAPmIU4FRgWzIG/s400/20110831_JN%25C2%25A9_064.jpg" width="265" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Mr. Song Muang Suriya with the elephant</td></tr>
</tbody></table></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;"><div class="MsoNormal" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; font-family: 'Times New Roman'; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="background-color: black;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: white;"><span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 12pt;">Mr Song Muang Suriya , headman of the village reports that this female elephant belong to his nephew , who takes the elephant across to work in <span> </span>the elephant logging in the deep jungle of Burma. Every day after finishing work, pulling the logs , the mahout will let the elephant walk around the jungle to eat in the forest, On 23 August about 3 pm, just a couple minutes <span> </span>after mahout let her roam free, he heard a big explosion and the elephant roaring and</span><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 12pt;"> <span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial;">screaming from the jungle. The mahout ran to Pang Pornsawan to fine her trying to stand and falling down from the shock of the her injury.<span> </span>The mahout and his friends tried to stop the bleeding with herbs. They succeeded but the elephant lost a lot of blood.<o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; font-family: 'Times New Roman'; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; font-family: 'Times New Roman'; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: black; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 12pt;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: white;">The next day the mahout startied walking the elephant out from the jungle to the village to ask for help. From the deep jungle, with heavy rain and small mud trail, it took 3 days and 3 nights to reach the village .<o:p></o:p></span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; font-family: 'Times New Roman'; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; font-family: 'Times New Roman'; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: black; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 12pt;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: white;">Doctor Prasit Moleechart the vet from Elephant Nature park called for help from the vet <span> </span>team from Elephant Hospital from Elephant Conservation Center.<span> </span>Doctor <span> </span>Sittidet Mahasawangkul chief vet and his team were sent to help and move Pang Ponsawan to the Hospital in Lampang to have emergency surgery .<o:p></o:p></span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; font-family: 'Times New Roman'; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjBV7DPXIx6DsFbIHQedyBffQzP5Nx3NdTWEoQiyg7y8vvgFPn6oMduRQEqPbv77qw4Yx9za6seunwLyQDWHzUi3SE4WnM5y7ZkZHH3INQ3m-UIv4PhLYO4IgZKlapw5jxnohrzqDO5dIe_/s1600/20110831_JN%25C2%25A9_059.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="265" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjBV7DPXIx6DsFbIHQedyBffQzP5Nx3NdTWEoQiyg7y8vvgFPn6oMduRQEqPbv77qw4Yx9za6seunwLyQDWHzUi3SE4WnM5y7ZkZHH3INQ3m-UIv4PhLYO4IgZKlapw5jxnohrzqDO5dIe_/s400/20110831_JN%25C2%25A9_059.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Dr Sittidet</td></tr>
</tbody></table></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="background-color: black; color: white; font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 16px;">On the morning of the 31<sup>st</sup> Pang Ponsawan was loaded on the TECC hospital truck and transported to the hospital in Lampang. She is now undergoing treatment and I have every intention of keeping you posted. In the meantime here is a photo collection of her trip to Lampang</span><br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLxjw7uRDEqL6R5qOv5zFEXM86MVepX03LV_7pbQAuM5nescnRvWTG72DiQZTrbL7EuDzXYmvqirQRdJKuUPUc1KkAY6oC0odiocSdVJLK69nElEAmBGW9uLY9_cK4omBbNs1i1NrkPLOh/s1600/20110831_JN%25C2%25A9_097.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="265" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLxjw7uRDEqL6R5qOv5zFEXM86MVepX03LV_7pbQAuM5nescnRvWTG72DiQZTrbL7EuDzXYmvqirQRdJKuUPUc1KkAY6oC0odiocSdVJLK69nElEAmBGW9uLY9_cK4omBbNs1i1NrkPLOh/s400/20110831_JN%25C2%25A9_097.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Getting on the truck<br />
</td></tr>
</tbody></table><br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgEnFIjN3iyIumdLgsUmNOdVfaX3FZOQ8OFCaw75w5MUg8SwLLY28-owDQefdgmLxXvM-uWN3bJkQwz6RSClw6LAfZSe0xXAPw57_GW2S9I6qg2k8cQ3HdE2Q_w3hwbz8tK0NB8YkuMHr86/s1600/20110831_JN%25C2%25A9_181.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgEnFIjN3iyIumdLgsUmNOdVfaX3FZOQ8OFCaw75w5MUg8SwLLY28-owDQefdgmLxXvM-uWN3bJkQwz6RSClw6LAfZSe0xXAPw57_GW2S9I6qg2k8cQ3HdE2Q_w3hwbz8tK0NB8YkuMHr86/s400/20110831_JN%25C2%25A9_181.jpg" width="265" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Swollen after the necessary long ride</td></tr>
</tbody></table><br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEioUuI0Z5MCbbETQKeqrCny4VgcjIg0jfgTA3NnNowBFjNsPm1SCQPuEuxQYEf1UFRiKcbuPYD7ITDvJYqNnHypc41beH5hk73_C-0rJbZMA7s7WDep6whYhl0qp0aI8kwpxj535F7DWNNX/s1600/20110831_JN%25C2%25A9_191.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="265" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEioUuI0Z5MCbbETQKeqrCny4VgcjIg0jfgTA3NnNowBFjNsPm1SCQPuEuxQYEf1UFRiKcbuPYD7ITDvJYqNnHypc41beH5hk73_C-0rJbZMA7s7WDep6whYhl0qp0aI8kwpxj535F7DWNNX/s400/20110831_JN%25C2%25A9_191.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Happy and good natured just walked off the truck</td></tr>
</tbody></table><br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEidbTXaUkz2-Vvb3IGOKWPeWeA2Tn-zoko8tCmTVZ8CqKtGxv3CsKHaFKRapzwfFY9aaLJ3VbizAGY1nWK-4QHcEpst5TFD46qIKXfMenOxdSJkuIBBhTfYkoLrFIIP_4C7U-hi6LbAhtIz/s1600/20110831_JN%25C2%25A9_254.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="265" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEidbTXaUkz2-Vvb3IGOKWPeWeA2Tn-zoko8tCmTVZ8CqKtGxv3CsKHaFKRapzwfFY9aaLJ3VbizAGY1nWK-4QHcEpst5TFD46qIKXfMenOxdSJkuIBBhTfYkoLrFIIP_4C7U-hi6LbAhtIz/s400/20110831_JN%25C2%25A9_254.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">First Treatment</td></tr>
</tbody></table><br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiTkL8eLHLb81buR8n-aE448dwzIIWXs_gC6h9FP8oapoIOcXsRVJEreI2-2DuDYuWEz4NbDL172cF5WYnl2jZlvGlj6In1gwh1qY8crwkz1NjHvnVEBnc2_zRpOpRB902opKl46lbd72Ld/s1600/20110831_JN%25C2%25A9_291.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="265" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiTkL8eLHLb81buR8n-aE448dwzIIWXs_gC6h9FP8oapoIOcXsRVJEreI2-2DuDYuWEz4NbDL172cF5WYnl2jZlvGlj6In1gwh1qY8crwkz1NjHvnVEBnc2_zRpOpRB902opKl46lbd72Ld/s400/20110831_JN%25C2%25A9_291.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The wound has been cleaned, she has a long long way to go</td></tr>
</tbody></table><div class="MsoNormal" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="background-color: black; color: white; font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 16px;">.</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;"></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; font-family: 'Times New Roman'; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; font-family: 'Times New Roman'; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: black; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 12pt;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: white;">Lek reports that "In the last couple years too many of elephants and farm animals in the village are died and injured from the land mine three days ago the villager lost 2 cows and many injured from landmine explosive”. Mr Rin Sudsai , Tavor's villager said it’s not just the animals; “the villagers and the Karen refugee many time died and injured from the explosive when they walk to find the jungle food or wood for fire. It very [difficult] insure for safety in the jungle this day” .<o:p></o:p></span></span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; font-family: 'Times New Roman'; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; font-family: 'Times New Roman'; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: black; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 12pt;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: white;">“We have received 3 injured elephant from this year , the first is the bull elephant who not deep , wound and we used the herbal to treated him and he was survive , later he went back to work logging again” Mr. Song Muang said.<span> </span>“The second elephant is female , but she too bad injured, she stay suffer only a couple days and died “ Song Muang also said he doesn’t want this one to die so he decided to call the vet to help.<o:p></o:p></span></span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; font-family: 'Times New Roman'; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; font-family: 'Times New Roman'; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: black; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 12pt;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: white;">“Many elephant when they injured from landmine in the jungle , it too difficult to help and rescue them many of them died in the jungle which is tragedy “ Lek said.<o:p></o:p></span></span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; font-family: 'Times New Roman'; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; font-family: 'Times New Roman'; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: black; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 12pt;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: white;">Today in Thailand and along Burma border it more than 300 domestic elephants that work at risk of being killed or maimed by landmines. After Thailand banned logging in 1989. Many Karen took their elephants to work illegally in Burma.<span> </span>Patee Tanu, one of the Karen elephant owners said “We have no choice, if we didn’t go to work then we have no income, then we have to take the risk”<o:p></o:p></span></span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; font-family: 'Times New Roman'; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; font-family: 'Times New Roman'; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="background-color: black;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: white;"><span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 12pt;">My thanks to Sangduen “Lek” Chailert for allowing me to use her material to write this article.</span><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><br />
Jerry Nelsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14205179587203503931noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5704921067011011025.post-20504766553285500402011-08-21T13:45:00.003+07:002011-08-21T13:55:51.500+07:00Connie Speight & The Elephants Umbrella FundThere are some marvelous people involved in the world of animal rights and conservation. One of them is Connie Speight. I met her in Thailand earlier this year. Connie is not your stereo typical anything. She is now 86 years young, full of energy and has earned the right to be a bit opinionated. She was born and raised in Southern California and has been in her same home for 31 years. She is stable, knows what she likes and dislikes. This spunky lady has an undying passion for the Asian Elephant. When I contacted her about interviewing her when I was in the United States, she invited me to her home in Santa Barbara. I drove up from San Diego, we had a lovely visit; both of us agreed it was all too short.<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5ZkjT9QWS9lTC4YZjzpJd28BEa-xC9UhvJhVx9515_MAChGjwDY3s5uqwl9eThKmSW5Wzb8wcUtDjK7Hf0WFGgocTTc91gfaEW7qrd4CeEXzwZGQAOqj9hWogtiRdrDIIsESVVj7WYc1g/s1600/20110804_010.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5ZkjT9QWS9lTC4YZjzpJd28BEa-xC9UhvJhVx9515_MAChGjwDY3s5uqwl9eThKmSW5Wzb8wcUtDjK7Hf0WFGgocTTc91gfaEW7qrd4CeEXzwZGQAOqj9hWogtiRdrDIIsESVVj7WYc1g/s400/20110804_010.jpg" width="266" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Connie at her home in Santa Barbara</td></tr>
</tbody></table>She suggested that we drive into Santa Barbara and have local Mexican food at the Mercado, celebrating the annual Santa Barbara Fiesta. She warned me that she is a frustrated race car driver. I found out that for her 85th birthday she took a race car driving lesson and was a bit disappointed because the track was designed in a way that she couldn’t hit a hundred miles an hour. She drove us into Santa Barbara and contrary to what a couple of her friends have said, her driving is just fine, thank you.<br />
<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgikMQInvXus_iXgHV0oGDjkZX8WH_BAwT2qKilCIHxUgEOYx1C1JIVWoEvAW0PWGwDRv7iDbCAjXuiZ9-3o8P5X8RdCKHu_S3YIWPBqcLAPCD0YvCrQXhBf7DHyO4V6qsyA33q4g7twn4v/s1600/Connie+Wanna.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgikMQInvXus_iXgHV0oGDjkZX8WH_BAwT2qKilCIHxUgEOYx1C1JIVWoEvAW0PWGwDRv7iDbCAjXuiZ9-3o8P5X8RdCKHu_S3YIWPBqcLAPCD0YvCrQXhBf7DHyO4V6qsyA33q4g7twn4v/s400/Connie+Wanna.jpg" width="277" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Connie and Wanna </td></tr>
</tbody></table>As I tried to get started with the “formal interview”, it became obvious that one thing Connie dislikes is useless redundancy. Many of my basic questions were answered with referrals to her website. Let’s mention that now: http://www.elephantsumbrella.org And, I’ll tell you that some of the information following came from my conversation with Connie on August 4th and some of it I just took right off of her website. Fair enough?<br />
<br />
Jerry: How did you come to choose the Asian Elephant as the object of your passion? <br />
Connie: Some years ago, I was in Bangkok and witnessed the heartbreaking scene of elephants begging on the streets. I came home knowing that I had to do something and started the long process of getting government 501c charity status. The Elephants Umbrella Foundation was born. I am convinced that one person can make a difference- one elephant at a time. <br />
<br />
Jerry: In all you have rescued 12 elephants, is that right? <br />
<br />
Connie: Yes.<br />
<br />
Jerry: When we met in late January you mentioned that you were negotiating the rescue of an elephant in Laos. Is she #12? <br />
<br />
Connie: Yes, her name is Mai Kham Onh. She is young, only 18 and was rescued from the logging industry in Laos. She will be living her life in the only elephant sanctuary in Laos and can hang out with our two previous rescues there. More about her is at: <a href="http://www.elephantsumbrella.org/rescued.htm">http://www.elephantsumbrella.org/rescued.htm</a><br />
<br />
Jerry: Tell me about the other 11. <br />
<br />
Connie: Each rescued elephant has a heart breaking story they are all on my web site. Fortunately each one has a very happy ending.<br />
<br />
Jerry: Fair enough. <br />
<br />
Connie: I just became a grandmother. (She hands me a photograph of a baby elephant). He was born the 1st of August at the Thai Elephant Conservation Center in Thailand. His mother, Wanna, is one our rescues. I was not happy when I found out she was pregnant as I had asked that she not be bred until she was older. The elephants are chained in the forest for the night so they can feed. However, JoJo a young bull was not put on a strong enough chain. His hormones were racing and he broke his chain and had his way with her. Nothing we can do about that, so now we have a new baby elephant. He has been named Singha, which means August in Thai, since he was born August first. Fortunately both mother and calf are doing well.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgSFiOWPoURpDw3LJpY5W2fVYvbEG_1M29NJf4oXoqfK0A6Af3yiDycHvqBJmU6CI-QSnGIzIhyphenhyphenagq8a1s1fm72Dd9RGJ8JBQg7u4DjR43D1BxYFUESwTKEiS1rjk7ehAsCODc88tOSJdDS/s1600/UmpangBaby.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgSFiOWPoURpDw3LJpY5W2fVYvbEG_1M29NJf4oXoqfK0A6Af3yiDycHvqBJmU6CI-QSnGIzIhyphenhyphenagq8a1s1fm72Dd9RGJ8JBQg7u4DjR43D1BxYFUESwTKEiS1rjk7ehAsCODc88tOSJdDS/s400/UmpangBaby.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br />
Jerry: Tell me more about the Elephants Umbrella Fund organization. <br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFIWG15Uw8iwJbgogKrF-i0mD2761h9Lgzxndx4YyoxD_dPThqxUnhiFv8Guxjz7GsFizyq6Lh9eDiFolZwhq6meo3tjLiTQyMfXptTDopT2FZb-6fdVtWYhdixTYZYkHeSFEpzwGG2qxY/s1600/IMG_0171.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFIWG15Uw8iwJbgogKrF-i0mD2761h9Lgzxndx4YyoxD_dPThqxUnhiFv8Guxjz7GsFizyq6Lh9eDiFolZwhq6meo3tjLiTQyMfXptTDopT2FZb-6fdVtWYhdixTYZYkHeSFEpzwGG2qxY/s400/IMG_0171.jpg" width="300" /></a></div><br />
<br />
Connie: Well our primary mission is to rescue elephants. However we have taken on a few projects to aid the sanctuaries that house the elephants. We support a mobile vet unit in Laos, have contributed to the purchase of land at BLES and funded a retaining wall at ENP. We have also purchased two high end microscopes for the vets at TECC and radio collars for the calves in Sri Lanka being returned to the wild. Details are available at <a href="http://www.elephantsumbrella.org/success.htm">http://www.elephantsumbrella.org/success.htm</a><br />
<br />
Jerry: So where are the 12 elephants? <br />
<br />
Connie: 3 in Laos, 2 at the Thai Elephant Conservation Center (TECC), 3 at Boon Lotts Elephant Sanctuary (BLES) and 3 at the Elephant Nature Park (ENP) and one in Cambodia. Of course, I like to also think about baby Singha as being our 13th.<br />
<br />
Jerry: Elephant poaching is a serious problem. Can I share your opinion about a solution? <br />
<br />
Connie: Shoot the poachers! Strengthen the laws, most are just a slap on the wrist.<br />
<br />
Jerry: People will want to know if the elephants you have rescued know you.<br />
<br />
Connie: Two do because of the situation when they were rescued. The rest do not. Remember they are not pets.<br />
<br />
Jerry: How do you decide which sanctuary will get a particular elephant? <br />
<br />
Connie: Usually when we have the funds available we let the sanctuaries know. When they have an elephant in mind they contact us and we start the negotiations which can some times take months and be very frustrating.<br />
<br />
Jerry: Other than donations what do you do to raise money for the elephants? <br />
<br />
Connie: We have a booth on Earth Day mostly for education but we do get some donations. I have a Spring and Fall sale mostly of succulents and cactus I have raised. Also I sell items I bring back from Thailand: jade, silk scarfs, handbags, jewelry etc. This is my biggest money maker. We have two, clothing exchanges which are a load of fun and bring in about $1,200. Donations are our primary source of funding.<br />
<br />
Jerry: What else would you like the readers to know? <br />
<br />
Connie: The Asian elephant is in more dire circumstances than the African. Vietnam has only 80, China 200, Thailand has lost thousands. The general public seems to think only of Africa when elephants are mentioned. They have no idea how drastic the situation is and Asian elephants don’t get the world publicity Africans do. There are about only 40,000 animals in all of Asia. Most governments in Asia have so far shown little action in demanding stricter laws for crimes against these animals. They have allowed mines, dams, villages and high speed train tracks to abolish migration routes and forests. It is predicted than in less than two decades there will be no wild elephants in many countries. This is the fourth most intelligent animal on the planet. They are fantastic parents, have prodigious memories, live a humans life span, are playful caring creatures. WAKE UP--- AND DO SOMETHING!!!!<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEisyMzXXz6esmERNa86Fxc10SRLoZb4BfMk88t4d3kNs2fiiek4BI5driYbidztNCi22vGSj62bvEi8liTuJtjCabKGMPtrzLwH-r8wB7H28RdNvbE_AU-EL0dG5IzZ6ts62oqQG5xBzszx/s1600/Connie+%2526+Samboon.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEisyMzXXz6esmERNa86Fxc10SRLoZb4BfMk88t4d3kNs2fiiek4BI5driYbidztNCi22vGSj62bvEi8liTuJtjCabKGMPtrzLwH-r8wB7H28RdNvbE_AU-EL0dG5IzZ6ts62oqQG5xBzszx/s400/Connie+%2526+Samboon.jpg" width="175" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgCGgoUqCQnAJMHeAaNFFTJVnh6EjR1lcHDI25yLDL7UmxS9CJz-iiQjXLlccqoexOy5lAGJRGm5g8K57uWlbsQHwmFvBhGvv92FmCEgtlNyuSTs3x0_1KUQqR4XI-Enqq7_shj95Bn9z5M/s1600/CandE.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgCGgoUqCQnAJMHeAaNFFTJVnh6EjR1lcHDI25yLDL7UmxS9CJz-iiQjXLlccqoexOy5lAGJRGm5g8K57uWlbsQHwmFvBhGvv92FmCEgtlNyuSTs3x0_1KUQqR4XI-Enqq7_shj95Bn9z5M/s400/CandE.jpg" width="300" /></a></div><br />
Author’s note: It’s always an honor and a privilege to spend time with Connie and people like her. In life there are two kinds of people Givers and Takers. Connie is a giver, big time. You can learn more and hopefull support her great efforts at <a href="http://www.elephantsumbrella.org/">http://www.elephantsumbrella.org</a><br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
Jerry Nelsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14205179587203503931noreply@blogger.com0