Elephant Nature Park

Flooding at the Sancutary

I haven’t been to Elephant Nature Park (ENP) in Thailand. This is the famous elephant sanctuary founded and led by Saengduean Chailert, who is more usually known as Lek.

I want to go as part of my research in writing the biography of Topsy. Friends whose opinions I trust have gone and spoken enthusiastically about it. I want to explore volunteer opportunities also.

I feel as if I know elephants, particularly Topsy, from all my research. But I’ve never had the opportunity to be in their presence for a meaningful amount of time.

I’m aware there are elephant sanctuaries in France, Brazil, and the United States. But none of them permit visitors up close because some rescued elephants become disturbed by too much human presence. I don’t want to go to zoos or safari parks to see elephants as they’re unnatural and cruel settings for them.

I’m also aware of other elephant sanctuaries in Southeast Asia that are also possible places to visit. Please share with me via email any recommendations or thoughts you may have about them.

This past week, ENP has been in the news because it became flooded after unprecedented amounts of rain. The Mae Taeng River that runs through the park rose ten feet or more and flooded the valley, which is home to ENP and all the animals—elephants, dogs, cats, and more—it rescued over many years. Sadly, two elephants died from the flooding. Pang Fah Sai was 16 years old. Pang Ploy Thong was 40 and blind. More than 100 elephants were rescued.

This past weekend, as the news of the ENP flood became known on social media and in The Guardian, I have never felt so helpless in knowing what to do. How could I help from the south coast of England? I could donate, but I figured ENP has a large international network of supporters who would help them. Besides, I want to keep my limited funds to spend on a trip to ENP, and I recently donated to Animals Lebanon, whose heroic rescue of cats and dogs moved me greatly.

I’m also mindful that two other animal sanctuaries have been flooded. A couple of years ago, TOLFA in Rajasthan, India, was flooded by the monsoon. It had to rebuild the sanctuary to prevent future flooding from occurring. Voice of Animal Nepal (VOAN), an NGO working for the welfare of street and stray animals in Nepal was also recently flooded.

Given the ongoing climate crisis and wars in Europe and the Middle East, it’s easy to succumb to pessimism and despair, but I’m struggling to be hopeful and not wander into the Misanthropic Bunker.

But all the while, there are people like Lek and Animals Lebanon working hard every day to rescue animals, and countless others around the world, I know I’m not alone in wanting better. Their courage inspires me. They represent hope with a steely desperation to help regardless of the odds stacked against them.

ENP is closed for the foreseeable future. The waters are receding, but there is so much to be done to restore the sanctuary to how it was.

My ambition is to visit Elephant Nature Park in the next year or two. It will be inspiring to spend time with rescued elephants. A visit to ENP would help me greatly to understand the inner life of elephants. I want to imagine what Topsy experienced and give her a voice in my biography of her.

Learn more about the flood at Elephant Nature Park from its Facebook page.