Elephant Nature Park

Today is my last day as a weeklong volunteer at Elephant Nature Park. The 2,000-acre sanctuary is a “retirement home” to over 100 elephants. The park also cares for dogs, cats, cows, water buffalo, pigs, rabbits, chickens, and sheep. It gets a little busy during the day with all the different groups coming through, but in the morning and after ~5pm, we have a serene and peaceful elephant sanctuary to ourselves.

Plan B

I had planned to work with the veterinary team, but unfortunately the English-speaking vet decided to take the week off. I was initially disappointed, but quickly pivoted and decided to embrace it. Looking back, I think I actually got a more immersive experience as a general volunteer. I’ve focused my week on learning more about elephant behavior, nutrition, enrichment, and overall care. As with other species, having an in-depth understanding of each of these elements makes you a better vet.

The flood

Back in October, Elephant Nature Park and the surrounding areas in Chiang Mai had a major flood. It destroyed many areas of the park. Heroic efforts were made to move the elephants and other animals to higher ground, but sadly, two elephants could not be saved and passed away. Since then, the volunteers have been rebuilding damaged structures and clearing the massive amount of debris left behind from the flood waters- driftwood, building materials, plastic, dirt mounds, etc. It’s crazy how much damage a flood can do and how much it can leave behind.

Elephant calls

As a weekly volunteer, we work around the park for about 2-3 hours in the morning and 2-3 hours in the afternoon. There are elephants everywhere. We see them while we work, while we eat, and while we relax. Our dorm-style accommodations are right next to their sleeping area, so it’s not uncommon to hear a high trumpet or a low rumble in the middle of the night. The range of sounds they make is incredible. I love the little chirps they make when they’re really happy or really excited. It’s often heard when they eat their favorite treats, like watermelon, bananas, and cucumbers. I can totally relate.

Shake it off!

Throughout the week, we cleaned up a ton (literally) of elephant poop. Our Thai group leaders, Archa and GR, were Swifties, so we would jam to Taylor Swift while shoveling elephant poop onto a truck. It may not seem like a fun job, but boy did it get the endorphins pumping! And the best part? For all these tasks, we’re surrounded by elephants. They’re constantly coming up to us because they’re curious about what we’re up to. The younger elephants love to chase us – they turn it into a game. It’s hard to get work done when you’re being chased by a 4-year-old, 2,000 pound elephant. But seriously, would you rather be laying on a beach somewhere? Or shoveling elephant poop, listening to Taylor Swift, and being chased by baby elephants? Not even a question!

Lumberjack(elyn)

I’ve also “mastered” another life skill: the machete. We hiked halfway up the mountain next to the park and worked on clearing a wide path as a firebreak. The dry season here is from January to April, and this will help protect the park from wildfires and provide a path for firefighters if one breaks out. When I started, it was taking me about 50 chops to cut down a small tree, but by the end I was down to about 10. The trick is to choke up on the machete, and cut at an angle on one side of the tree, then cut the other side. I like machetes.

Welcome to elephant paradise

When not doing hard labor or eating the three delicious Thai meals served each day, our time is our own. There are so many places on the platforms, skywalks, and main lodge to sit and relax, read a book, or work on your laptop. It sounds like a rainforest here – there is a constant soundtrack of birds chirping and singing all day. You can get a 1-hour massage for 200 Baht ($5.94), and they have a coffee barista making delicious coffee drinks to order from sunrise to sunset. Some people come to Elephant Nature Park and stay for months at a time as a volunteer because it feels like home to them. The daily tasks are rewarding and living in harmony with elephants just soothes the soul. I have not thought about work once.

Pob gun mai (see you later/goodbye)

Today is bittersweet. I came to Thailand for the elephants, but I also made some friendships here, which was not on my radar. Fred and I talk a lot about shared experiences. There’s a bond that forms when you go through an experience together that is meaningful/emotionally taxing/physically demanding/awe-inspiring. Elephant Nature Park was all of the above. My roommates, Lucy and De, along with our buds Rachel, Vicki, Al, Jo, Justin, and Emily were the best posse to have. It’s hard to put a powerful experience into words. But the people by your side understand.