elephant sanctuary in chiang mai

“She’s the nanny,” our guide said, gesturing to the elephant waiting patiently on the river bank as she watched the three babies splash around. “She’ll take him back to their family once he’s done with playtime.”

In a few minutes, she started gently chauffeuring him along. I laughed as the hooligan suddenly dashed away to return to his playmates.

It was a double-edged day. Each elephant bore a devastating map of scars or still-healing wounds - only a hint of the suffering endured over decades of abuse. One elephant hobbled on a bandaged left foot, still recovering from stepping on a bear trap four years ago. Another’s ankle was permanently contorted into a 45 degree angle after a logging injury. One story cleaved my heart in two: Jokia was forced to haul logs uphill while two months pregnant, and lost her baby from the exertion. In her extreme grief, she refused to work. Her owners tortured and blinded her, until they broke her will and she would work again. She was rescued 19 years ago.

Here, the elephants played with their food, flung mud at one another, splashed in the river and gave affectionate trunk pats. They had acres upon acres to roam, against a gorgeous mountain backdrop. I felt their peach-fuzz trunks curl around bananas in my hand, which they shoveled into their mouths and then immediately reached for more. Their contagious smiles brought me relief that they’ve finally found safe haven after horrific pasts.

It can be hard to believe in the good of humankind after knowing the cruelty we’re capable of. But the Elephant Nature Park is full of heroes, working tirelessly to rescue and heal elephants all over Thailand. It was an incredible day underscored by rightful heartache - and an inspiration to spread kindness and compassion.

If you’d like to learn more or donate: www.elephantnaturepark.org