What I learned at the Elephant Nature Reserve

These wonderful people have saved the lives and rehabilitated hundreds of elephants and other animals Today, ENP is home to 208 elephants, hundreds of dogs, cats, water buffalo, horses, wild boars, ponies, etc., on a 250 acre privately owned preserve.

Elephants are amazing:

1. They share many human characteristics. Their life spans are similar. I saw some that were in their 80s and 90s.
2. Their body temps are similar. They are susceptible to the same diseases.
3. They form families of from 2 to 50 elephants, and they stay together and recognize one another for their entire lives. In their teen years, male elephants are pushed out by their mothers to be on their own. Females, however, stay together.
4. They express emotions.
5. They have varying personalities. They form friendships. Some are complete loaners.
6. They adopt babies when necessary.
7. 7. Many elephants at the park have been injured, permanently, by human abuse. Many are blind because of being forced to perform in front of hot lights. Some have broken backs because they were forced to carry unwieldly loads, including humans. Some have been injured by land mines.
8. Babies were typically tortured int submission and some have lifelong mental issues because of it.
9. They eat 15 hours a day, from 2 to 10% of their weight. They drink 100 litres of water a day.
10. 10. At this preserve they are rehabilitated, cared for, medically treated and are free to roam and live the rest of their lives in safety and love.
11. Each elephant has its own mahout and this man and his elephant are attached for their entire lives.
12. At ENP, elephants are never ridden, never used, never abused in any way.
13. ENP is dedicated to educating elephant owners around Thailand and they have had some success in eradicating the old ways of elephant abuse.
14. ENP is a completely voluntary organization supported by people from around the world.