This was definitely the highlight of our trip for me! What an amazing place, and they’ve rescued well over 1500 animals - more then just elephants! All the food is vegan and there is so much love for animals from everyone that works here. It was incredible!
We did the over night tour, so we got to sleep over beside where the elephants sleep! We woke up to there trumpeting several times throughout the night. Amazing!!!
We got there around 9:30-10am and went straight to feed the elephants. You stand behind a red line and put the food in their truck. So cool! We then walked around the grounds learning about the elephants history, how they came to be at the park, and how awesome these creature are!
You watch a movie about what not to do at the park in order to keep the animals and you safe while you drive there. It’s about 1.5 hours north of Chaing Mai.
We were in a small group with another lovely couple from England. Sadly, until 2pm
The first day we had to merge with a group that had “that guy”.
Just to vent a little, please watch and actually do what they tell you in the instruction video! So it started as soon as we were feeding the elephants (most of which have suffered incredible cruelty at the hands of people - I cried all the way to the park watching the information video). I actually had to tell this dude that you should not tease the elephants - just feed them. He then patted their trunk (a no no), used the flash on his camera (it’s a sunny day and one of the elephants is blind because of humans constantly using a flash during their miserable circus life), teased them with food again and then would constantly get to close so he could get a good photo or selfie because he was truly an idiot. I guess it’s good that even the idiots are realizing you shojldn’t ride the elephants. One day maybe they’ll learn to follow the rules.
On a wonderful note this park is amazing! The woman Lek who started it years ago (who has faced death threats and persevered) is amazing! They have over 450 rescue dogs (25 use assistance with walking), 375 cats, 78 elephants, retired race and army horses, pot bellied pigs, goats, birds, monkeys you name it - if an animal needed help - she helps! She’s a hero!
Oh and all the food is vegan! No animals are hurt when people eat either! I love her!!!
I had the opportunity to meet her and it was truly awesome! Her husband had the same “don’t feed the hipsters” shirt Mark has! Too funny. Apparently he’s from Toronto too.
This park is a must in Chaing Mia.
As I’m writing this blog a man just came from a riding elephant place to talk to a Chinese family. The boy was hurt and had to go to hospital playing with a baby elephant. They wanted a bunch 40000bat, he said no but would pay their hospital bill and gave them a painting. I just told the woman working here she should tell them to only go to Elephant Nature Park! Elephants are happy, people are happy and no one is hurt! This guy was so scummy. I hope they didn’t punish the baby elephant for playing and letting it play with a child. Their own evil fault.
If you are going to Chaing Mai you must stay over at the Elephant Nature Park, better yet volunteer at the park for a reduced rate and help walk some dogs and clean some cats while enjoying wandering elephants!)
https://www.elephantnaturepark.org/
We did the over night tour, so we got to sleep over beside where the elephants sleep! We woke up to there trumpeting several times throughout the night. Amazing!!!
We got there around 9:30-10am and went straight to feed the elephants. You stand behind a red line and put the food in their truck. So cool! We then walked around the grounds learning about the elephants history, how they came to be at the park, and how awesome these creature are!
You watch a movie about what not to do at the park in order to keep the animals and you safe while you drive there. It’s about 1.5 hours north of Chaing Mai.
We were in a small group with another lovely couple from England. Sadly, until 2pm
The first day we had to merge with a group that had “that guy”.
Just to vent a little, please watch and actually do what they tell you in the instruction video! So it started as soon as we were feeding the elephants (most of which have suffered incredible cruelty at the hands of people - I cried all the way to the park watching the information video). I actually had to tell this dude that you should not tease the elephants - just feed them. He then patted their trunk (a no no), used the flash on his camera (it’s a sunny day and one of the elephants is blind because of humans constantly using a flash during their miserable circus life), teased them with food again and then would constantly get to close so he could get a good photo or selfie because he was truly an idiot. I guess it’s good that even the idiots are realizing you shojldn’t ride the elephants. One day maybe they’ll learn to follow the rules.
On a wonderful note this park is amazing! The woman Lek who started it years ago (who has faced death threats and persevered) is amazing! They have over 450 rescue dogs (25 use assistance with walking), 375 cats, 78 elephants, retired race and army horses, pot bellied pigs, goats, birds, monkeys you name it - if an animal needed help - she helps! She’s a hero!
Oh and all the food is vegan! No animals are hurt when people eat either! I love her!!!
I had the opportunity to meet her and it was truly awesome! Her husband had the same “don’t feed the hipsters” shirt Mark has! Too funny. Apparently he’s from Toronto too.
This park is a must in Chaing Mia.
As I’m writing this blog a man just came from a riding elephant place to talk to a Chinese family. The boy was hurt and had to go to hospital playing with a baby elephant. They wanted a bunch 40000bat, he said no but would pay their hospital bill and gave them a painting. I just told the woman working here she should tell them to only go to Elephant Nature Park! Elephants are happy, people are happy and no one is hurt! This guy was so scummy. I hope they didn’t punish the baby elephant for playing and letting it play with a child. Their own evil fault.
If you are going to Chaing Mai you must stay over at the Elephant Nature Park, better yet volunteer at the park for a reduced rate and help walk some dogs and clean some cats while enjoying wandering elephants!)
https://www.elephantnaturepark.org/
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