Elephant indulgence

We slipped up to Chiang Mai, Thailand for a visit and find that we really like it here.  We've been visiting the local wats, there are many, and enjoying beautiful Thai food.  Some photos of wats and a post on food are planned, but this post is really for our own indulgence.  We stayed out of town for a week and next to our resort was a waterfall.  Everyday a group of Mahouts would bring their elephants to this place.  We aren't sure if they are affiliated with a tour group or an elephant sanctuary or something else.  These elephants weren't chained and they didn't have the riding platforms, but we could go and spend time with them and give them treats.  One day, our last day, we were able to sit on the large male elephant.

As part of our resort package we went on a day tour to one of the touristy elephant parks where we could ride elephants and watch an elephant show (they kick balls, paint and perform a few tricks), plus we floated on a raft down the river.  Since that tour we have learned about some of the abusive techniques used in training wild elephants, but we are not sure about how the elephants that are born in captivity are trained.  We hope they are not abused, and we don't wish to contribute to any elephant abuse, so no more elephant shows for us.  For now, just enjoy the photos of elephants in the jungle clearing.

When we visit, we always bring bananas, cucumbers, apples and or carrots.  I thought all the elephants would rush over and try to get the treats when they smelled them, but they are apparently trained not to approach the visitors and only came towards us with their mahout.  Except for the baby...he was just naughty and liked to try and knock us over.

 Photo bomb by an elephant trunk.

 

Can we take him home??

The face of naughty.

Elephant hugs.