One of the highlights of our trip was the day we spent at the Baan Chang Elephant Reserve near Chiang Mai. We didn’t want to see dancing or watercolor-painting elephant shows, so after lots of research we settled on this under-the-radar reserve that claimed to be rescuing elephants from abusive situations. The elephant issue isn’t simple. Baan Chung, for example, has to buy the elephants from their owners, and needs to provide enough land for them to move around, and enough food to keep them healthy (between 125 and 175 pounds per day). Tourists provide the funding for the elephants, but what is okay and what isn’t? Is riding okay if it’s bareback? Training them to be pet by visitors? Even training them to perform if they are not being hurt in the process?
We learned so much during the 6 hours we spent almost entirely in the company of the elephants. Jackson and I declined riding them up the mountain, but Sam thought it was a great experience. Jackson became attached to the baby elephant, that followed him around for his bananas.
Learning to mount the elephant
5 minutes was about enough for me!
Sam stayed on to ride the elephant up the mountain
Scratching during a break
Jackson and I decided to walk up the mountain
Jackson and I walked up the mountain ahead of the elephants. Jackson is wearing the Mahout (elephant trainer) clothing that they had for us since we got very wet and dirty over the course of the day.
They are imposing at first, but soon we felt more comfortable getting to know them close up
Bathing the elephants
Relaxing after lunch
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