ENP - A Brief and Incomplete Update

The last couple of times I’ve been to the park I have been amazed at how quickly things are evolving; I thought I’d post a couple of the changes here.  That way if you are returning to the park for a visit you won’t go into shock ๕๕๕

Except for the furnishings the extension to the dock is finished.   As I understand it, the upstairs may soon be a dining area.  For now it’s a quiet place, under roof, with a marvelous view.

March 25, 2011

March 25, 2011

May 20, 2011

May 21, 2011

The old elephant shelter close to the kitchen is gone and in it’s place will be a parking lot.  The elephants who used to live there have been moved to the new shelter or to the newly extended shelter.

Roof was redone May 2011

Re-roofed and extended

Karl Cullen is doing target training.  This training has a couple of distinct advantages.  First it’s documented proof that these elephants can be trained without abuse.  They respond marvelously to positive re-enforcement.  Second, once trained they are much easier to handle during medical procedures, especially foot care. There will be a whole article on that coming soon.  For now let me just say that the elephants really enjoy the training, Karl’s gentle manner and of course the treats. 

Karl training at the new wall

"O.K. All I do is move my ear to the pole and I get a treat, works for me".

Chang Yim grows bigger each day!   He'll never see torture training.

There are a couple of things that have not changed and will not change.   

No Caption Required

Abundant Blessings, 

A Call for Artists & Vendors - Please Help Save Elephant Foundation

My plan is to put together an art show with an auction to help raise some money for the Save Elephant Foundation.  Volunteer contributions from artists and vendors will maximize the funds raised and keep the book keeping simple.  Artists and vendors will be given maximum recognition in press releases etc.  The date will be the event will be set based on feedback to this notice and the availability of a venue. 

Peek A Boo

The event will consist of:

a,  An exhibition at a location in Chiang Mai Thailand with a silent auction for all the pieces on display.  The art pieces can be paintings, drawings, sketches, sculptures and of course photographic images.   The subject matter is not restricted to elephants because some people may love the elephants but prefer other types of art. 

b.      

      b.  An on line element consisting of photographs not on display in Chiang Mai.  These could be printed before the event, or printed and drop shipped at the time of sale.

c.       

      c.  A reception in Chiang Mai.  This may include a sit down dinner if the chosen venue can / will support such an event.

A twist of the trunk for you

Here are a few of the things that we need to make this a huge success:

1.        We need a place to hold this event.   The reception would be the finale.   The location should be in Chiang Mai where I would hope the art could be on display for perhaps as long as a month.   

2.       Food vendors will be needed to cater the reception event.

3.       Artists will be asked to commit and donate their work.

4.       A few good volunteers will be needed to help with the reception event.

Your feedback and CONSTRUCCTIVE criticism is requested.  What can you do to help?  If you are inclined please take a look at the images I’ve just uploaded to:  Art_Show_Candidates and let me know what you think might be saleable and what might not.  At this point I intend to take images on stretch canvas to the event.  My photographs can be printed in a variety of sizes and on a variety of surfaces depending on the desires of the buyers, especially on line. I will have  opportunities to create images between now and the submission deadline, and so will you.

Elephant Nature Park

In the short term please support Lek’s show at the Banyan Tree in Bangkok which will run from April 22d through May 8^th.   For details see  Elephant Images Exhibited 

One Excellent Photographer! 

The Banyan Tree Art Exhibit

Finally some good news!   Sangduen 'Lek' Chailert, founder of the Elephant Nature Foundation has an exhibition at the The Banyan Tree Bangkok from April 22d through May 8^th!   Yesterday’s Bangkok post ran the story:    Elephant Images Exhibited

Sangduen 'Lek' Chailert

 Just so you know Lek inspires me not only as a human on a spiritual path, but also as a photographic artist.  Her elephant images are always filled with love and passion! 

Abundant Blessings, 

A walk in the park, Elephant Nature Park that is

The last couple of posts have been to report that which is less than good.  This article is about what can happen when people want to do what is right! 

Elephants being Elephants at ENP

Last week, Thursday and Friday was spent at the Elephant Nature Park.  The weather was cool and cloudy; perfect weather for photography.  The place is brimming with positive energy and the elephants are having a great time!   The people too!   My favorite 100 shots are at:  http://s935.photobucket.com/albums/ad200/jnelson1944/ENP_032511/

Elephant Nature Park now has two vets!  Meet Bee.  She recently finished her Veterinarian training at Chiang Mai University. 

Dr. "Bee"

Carl continues to do positive re-inforcement “contact” training.  He is finishing his time with Chang Yim and will be teaching the other mahouts the technique.  This, I believe, all started with Carol Buckley who is proving to the world that torture is not the only way to train an elephant.  Well, Lek has demonstrated the effectiveness of love since she started the foundation in 1995.  Anyway, Chang Yim is reported to be a star student.

Chang Yim and Carl 

Tilly is the newest arrival. She came to the park from the elephant camp down the road.   The story is that she was really hating the idea of getting on the truck so they just walked her up to her new home.

Tilly

One of the special treats for overnight guests at the park is the morning walk.  It is truly a beautiful experience.  Friday morning was very special on at least three counts:  1^st,Jodi was the guide, 2^nd I got to see Ahsii and 3^rd  the weather was cool and cloudy, perfect for photography.  . 

Jodi is a permanent volunteer at the park.  She works with the elephants, lives with the elephants and seems to have taken on the role as their social reporter.  She combines her knowledge, love for the elephants and an uncommon gift for narration to give her guests entertaining and factual information that we all appreciate and remember. All the while, with Jodi, safety is always first and foremost.  I hope you get the opportunity to do the morning walk with Jodi and let her introduce you to her huge grey friends.

Jodi with Mintra, Mae Jam Paa and Mae Dta Keow in the background

Seeing Ashii was a special treat for me. I was with the crew that went to rescue him last July and since then I haven’t been able to see him as often as I’d have liked.  When Ahsii got on the truck in Chiang Rai he was tired, sickly and grossly underweight.  Jodi explained to us that often elephant owners deliberately starve their male elephants to keep them from going into musth; that appears to have been the case with this old boy. Since he’s been at the park he’s been in musth most of the time so he has to be kept secluded.  Bull elephants in musth are unpredictable and can be very dangerous.

Mo Orr meets Ahsii the day ENP rescued him, July 2010. 

Ashii really has it pretty good these days.  He’s on a chain until the musth is over and that’s not wonderful.  However it has it’s advantages.  Fresh food is brought to him and, and I say, he has two girlfriends who stay with him most of the time.  Mae Lanna, according to reports from our social reporter Jodi, is just madly in love with Ahsii.  Medo is Mae Lanna’s best girlfriend and has chosen to make it a threesome rather than stay alone.  It looks to me like Medo is as happy as the other two.  Both of the girls help themselves to Ashii’s food and both are gaining weight right along with their beau.

Medo, Ahsii and Mae Lanna sharing Ahsii's lunch

Now guys don’t’ get too happy for Ahsii with his two girlfriends.   Mae Lanna is as tall as Ashii and he doesn’t yet have the strength to stand tall enough to mount her.  Medo on the other hand was a victim of forced breeding and has substantial back injuries.  She is not about to let Ashii, or any other bull, mount her.  


One very special sight, at least for me, is to see the big family group passing by along the river.  (Jodi explains that they are actually two family groups who stay together for the sake of the children). Either way, they are a marvel to see.

Elephants at Peace! 

Please be Careful!

As you know, the elephant is in trouble, across the globe actually, and needs your help!  Please give of your time and your money.  Gentle reader, do not worry this blog is not becoming a fund raising vehicle.

Should Elephants walk tight ropes for our entertainment? 

Street Begging; bad for the elephant and dangerous too! 

Having said that, please contribute to the welfare of elephants but please be careful that your money actually goes where you intend.  If you like an organization other that Save the Elephant Foundation / Elephant Nature Park, that's fine. Beware of 3rd party organizations.  Some are legitimate, some not.  Just check with your chosen organization.

More circus tricks for the human amusement 

For confirmation, especially regarding the Save Elephant Foundation / Elephant Nature Park just drop into the office in Chiang Mai.  If that's not practical I'd suggest you contact Phyl Kirkland at phylkirkland@hotmail.com or contact her on Face Book  Phyl is actually with Elephant Nature Foundation UK and has done wonders for the elephants!  

Medo and Ahsee at ENP March 18, 2011

As I've reported in the past there have been instances of money not going where it was intended.   I'm happy to report that one of the cases I alluded to has been satisfactorily resolved.  

Now there is another danger lurking.  This one does not directly effect the Elephant Nature Park or any other legitimate organization.   This one is come at you from a man claiming to need money to rescue elephants in Nepal.  More specific information can be found on Carol Buckley's excellent web site:  http://www.carolbuckley.com/elevisions   Once there, at Recent Posts click on Modi Prasad.

Abundant Blessings, 

Elephant Tortured in England!

Please read the story and watch the video about Anne the elephant.  If you think this is as unacceptable as I do, please repost and support the initiative by Animal Defenders International to remove this elephant.  Please Help Anne the elephant.  I have added a link to Animal Defenders International.  Anne is their current top story!

A Day Trip to Anantara - Golden Triangle

Have you ever been to the Anantara Golden Triangle Resort & Spa?  The good news is that I did get to go, the bad news is that I could only stay a couple of hours. They have a marvelous facility, great food and elephants!  Minor International, Anatara’s parent company,  is a big supporting factor for the elephants. You can read all about this at www.helpingelephants.org if you are interested.  I contacted John Roberts and arranged to come and have lunch on March 3, 2011.  The day was not ideal for John because he was extremely busy with a very large group.  Still he was an ideal host.

This lunch choice was recommended by Connie - Delicious

John introduced me to Connie Speight and Kristy Boyce. Kristy is a Canadian photojournalist who I hope to get to know better at some point.  We have a common interest; the Asian elephant. Connie Speight, a Santa Barbara lady, is responsible for the rescue of no less than 11 Asian Elephants.  (Connie mentioned that they are currently working on rescuing an elephant in Laos; #12).  The 11 include 1 in Cambodia, 2 in Laos and 8 in Thailand.   Please take time to read the website at www.elephantsumbrella.org  The stories of these elephants can be found at the www.elephantsumbrella.org  Connie is a marvelous lady who does great work; next time I see her I hope it’s for more than a few moments!

Connie Speight

John Roberts

The Anantara Golden Triangle Resort & Spa was hosting a large group and we had the fun of watching them bath with the elephants.   Here the tourist has a chance to learn from the mahouts and to ride on the neck of the elephant or in a saddle.  Personally I like the operation and the people I met on my all too brief visit. 

Two Shots in 3 seconds! 

Rebekah 

Elephant Under

Bath Time

My official plan of record is to return as some point in the near future.  While relaxing and enjoying the ambience will be high on the priority list, higher will be spending more time with John Roberts. I find John to be a man from whom I can learn.  He has a common sense approach to life, business, conservation and the elephants he serves.  

Good Friends

Play Time