After being picked up from our accomodation we had a 1.5 hour mini bus ride to the Elephant Nature Park. This park rescues elephants that are sick or have been mistreated by their owners, a much too common occurence. There were 33 elephants including a very cheeky 6 month old youngster roaming the 267 acres. Each elephant has a mahout, a trained carer that wanders with them all day. However there is one elephant called Hope that requires 2 mahouts to keep him out of trouble! He also is the only elephant that is required to wear a bell so everyone knows exactly where the boistrous beast us. We were even lucky enough to get a wet vacuum kiss, mine a rough one on the ear and Mara's a nice juicy one on the cheek. Apparently Hope is a ladies man and always saves his nice kisses for the female variety!
Volunteers pay to stay for a week or longer to help out with the numerous chores of caring for so many huge animals. We were lucky enough to help out with the feeding and bathing of the elephants, an amazing experience that hasn't quite sunk in. Hin our very cheeky guide for the day was a constant source of entertainment. He informed us that elephant number two's are known as banana cakes! We had to dodge a few of these as they floated down the river!! We took some great photos and some video footage that hopefully I can upload onto the net when I get a chance.
Bath time, we eventually got to splash the elephants in the freezing cold stream
That lady in shot was so weird!!
Time to layer on the sunscreen, a quick roll around in the dirt will do.
Showing the little ones how to do it
Volunteers pay to stay for a week or longer to help out with the numerous chores of caring for so many huge animals. We were lucky enough to help out with the feeding and bathing of the elephants, an amazing experience that hasn't quite sunk in. Hin our very cheeky guide for the day was a constant source of entertainment. He informed us that elephant number two's are known as banana cakes! We had to dodge a few of these as they floated down the river!! We took some great photos and some video footage that hopefully I can upload onto the net when I get a chance.
Hin our tour guide pointing out the 'dimples' that show the elephant is quite old
Open wide. "Just put the whole bloody lot in!"
A big wet one!!!! Super vacuum strength!
Mud bath time! The little fella was a touch clumsy.
This big girl had previously suffered a broken back as a result of a poorly managed breeding program.
Bath time, we eventually got to splash the elephants in the freezing cold stream
That lady in shot was so weird!!
Time to layer on the sunscreen, a quick roll around in the dirt will do.
Showing the little ones how to do it
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