Elephant rides and show at the Elephant Conservation Center

There are two types of elephants in the world; Asian and African. Asian elephants are smaller, which slightly different head shape and smaller ears. The average Asian elephant has a life span much like humans, including the “terrible twos,” adolescents, adulthood, and retirement. In fact, it is not rare for an elephant to live to be 90 years old, although they usually don’t do as much heavily lifting at that age. One significant different between humans and elephants is the gestation period, as elephants are pregnant for 18-20 months. The average adult elephant can easily carry 2000 pounds and only sleeps about 3 hours a night. These animals are also incredibly smart and very trainable. These factors make them excellent workers.

In much of Asia, elephants were domesticated in ways that never occurred in Africa. Truly, Thailand would not be what it is today if it were not for the elephant, which were used throughout history for logging, fighting, travel, and building. In addition, warriors successfully used elephants to protect against invasions. In fact, the king of Thailand sent a letter to Abraham Lincoln upon hearing about the Civil War offering, as a friend of the United States, an elephant…but the war was over by the time the letter got to the President. Overall, the elephant is an incredibly revered and beloved animal throughout Thailand, and there is deep recognition for the contributions they’ve made to Thai history.

In recent years, however, much of the work traditionally completed by elephants is done with machines. This creates a problem: is there a place for the elephant in modern Thailand? Elephants eat a great deal, and many farmers are very unhappy if a stray elephant wanders through and eats their crops. In addition, the amount of vacant land available to nature has drastically decreased, putting the elephant in jeopardy. In some cases, elephants are kept in unsatisfactory conditions and forced to perform unhealthy tricks in zoos or circuses.

Our group had the opportunity to visit the Thai Elephant Conservation Center in Lampang. The Conversation Center gives elephants a safe place to live, work and play. In addition, they have a world renown elephant hospital to care for sick or injured animals.

Last night, within the center, we stayed in adorable cabins with incredible views. We were also treated to a delicious dinner and a fun night of karaoke. Then, this morning, our time with the elephants began with an opportunity to give one a shower with a hose, which he seemed to enjoy. We then partnered up to ride elephants across the Conservation Center, including a walk across a river. The elephants then went for a swim/bath in the river, we had a chance to meet a few of the elephants up close, and we ended up at the elephant show.

The elephant show was amazing! The bowed when their names were called, turned off and one the water when they wanted a drink, demonstrated logging skills, and placed hats on volunteers’ heads with their trunks. They also painted pictures-which may have been the most remarkable thing I’ve ever seen.

The experience has given me a new appreciation for an animal I already loved. I now love elephants even more! The Fulbright Thailand staff surprise us at the hotel when were returned to Bangkok this afternoon with elephant shaped pillows stitched with “Happy 4^th of July, Bangkok.” I am very excited to have such a special souvenir to remind me of such a special day.