December 11, 2015
Today we drove to Sokhothai, in central Thailand, to spend time at the Boon Lotts Elephant Sanctuary (BLES), started by a young Englishwoman, Katherine Connor, whose encounter with a young elephant, named Boon Lotts, changed her life forever.
Katherine had taken a year off from her work doing retail sales in London in order to travel around Asia when she was twenty-one years old. She ended up working at the Thai Elephant Conservation Center where she met Boon Lotts, a baby elephant who was very sick. She formed a deep bond with the baby who eventually died. It was then that Katherine resolved to create a sanctuary for sick, abused, beaten, starved, abandoned and aging elephants.
Katherine created the sanctuary single-handedly, against all odds. She was determined to create a natural habitat for the elephants to live out the rest of their lives in elephant paradise, without having to beg for food on the streets of big cities, without having to ferry tourists on their backs, without having to do circus tricks, without having to carry around heavy logs when they are old and sick.
Here is a link to Katherine’s website where you can read more about this most remarkable human being and the inspiring work she is doing on behalf of the elephants in Thailand.
http://www.blesele.org/how_we_began/
My sweet little bungalow in Sukhothai.
After a long drive into the middle of nowhere in a forested part of the area, we finally reach the elephant sanctuary. We are greeted with the sight of our first “free” elephant.
Time to take a walk. Each elephant has its own mahout who, in this setting, assures the elephant’s health and well-being.
Katherine lives on the grounds with her Thai husband and her five young children, along with the helpers and the mahouts.
Watering hole for the elephants.
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The elephants go readily into the forest to graze and have a good time together.
There are seventeen rescued elephants in the 700 acre sanctuary. Katherine continues to buy parcels of land adjacent to her property as they become available.
Along the way, we pass a water buffalo next to the trail. Word of Katherine’s big heart has spread far and wide, such that all kinds of hurt animals are brought to her elephant sanctuary including cows, buffalo, wild pigs, dogs, cats, and even turtles.
The mahout reminds his gentle giant to stick with the others on this walk we’re taking together into the forest.
I have the feeling I’m being followed.
Mmm. It all tastes so good!
While the elephants are feasting in the forest around us, we have our own lovely picnic on the ground. We are served by two volunteers, a young man from Canada who has been with the sanctuary for a few months, and a young woman from Texas. Both volunteers speak enthusiastically about their experience at the sanctuary.
Jami and Katherine at lunch in the sanctuary.
It’s time to cool off.
Aah! That feels so good!!!
Standing next to the bamboo trees after the nice mud bath.
The three girls watch the boys playing in the mud.
Time to go home to the enclosure where the elephants spend the night so they won’t wander off the 700 acres.
We head back to the main house and watch the mahouts hose off the elephants after their day in the forest. Katherine tells us the heartbreaking stories of each of the elephants and the extreme measures she and her husband took to rescue the abused animals and how she managed to raise the funds to buy the elephants from their owners by using social media such as Facebook. Her dedication and devotion to alleviating the plight of the elephants fills me with admiration.
What an inspiring and uplifting day! There’s something about these elephants that can burst your heart wide open. I now understand how some people’s lives have been dramatically changed after an intimate experience with the elephants.
Good night and sweet dreams,
Erica among the Elephants
How wonderful that she has been able to do this. And just as great that people can come and feel these amazing intelligent and lovely animals. Great adventure for you! Thanks for the inspiring posts!
Your stories about the elephants warms my heart – thank you so much, Erica. Have a great trip!
What a wonderful adventure. Thank you for sharing your thoughts and photos from Thailand and your big, open heart. Love always, Sherie
So lovely! I count it a blessing to be able to share in your adventures. It is very important to me to experience these….even second hand! Thank you!
It’s like I’m traveling. What a privilege to get this window on this world, and shown so expertly. Thank you!! I’m feeling the impact this all has. Almost like I was there.
Muchas gracĂas!
John
So beautiful, Erica! The photos and story and work of the sanctuary. I could see the abuse one elephant had suffered from its incredibly raggedy ear (like chunks taken out of dolphins’ tail fins).
Love,
Jane
I continue to enjoy each day’s tale. And I keep thinking of someone else who I must forward this trip- story to. I am hoping there will be a book available after Erica gets home and makes time to write it.
Wonderful pictures—what an experience!
Hello! Erica,,
You captured so well the actual and the essence of time spent with these Elephants.
Keep on trekking and enjoying your experience being in that place of curiosity.
Thanks, Agu!!!!
I just returned from visiting an old friend, Colleen Kelly. Perhaps you know her and her story. She knows, I think, Jami, quite well. She knew you were with Jami on this marvelous trip. I’m so happy you are there experiencing this, Erica.
From your descriptions it seems like “the bigger the animals are the bigger their spirits are”. Also their ability to connect on non verbal levels seems quite well developed. Am I understanding this correctly?
Yes, I think you’re absolutely correct.
Speechless, Erica. Oh, how wonderful to have this experience. I feel i am there with you – wish I were. Please tell Jami and Katherine they have a whole heart felt admirer over here. I am sure they have many many. And, I hope lots of donors for this work. Love,
Anna PS Erica – you are talking lots of notes, I am sure from this wonderful blog you send us. Write this story to publish.
Hi Erica…Ted and I are following your tracks and it feels like we are getting close :-))
Thank you for sharing your adventures with us. It’s Monday morning here in Santa Fe and a cup of tea and your blog after a lovely snow are just right. Last night I received a birthday book called Love,Life,and Elephants by Dame Daphne Sheldrick. Looking forward to a good read.
Lots to share when you return….lunch?
xox
Barbara
Enjoying your journey along with the photography Also that food looks great.
Another excellent posting. Terrific photos!
Love it, Erica! You look so happy and the elephants too. I love the picture “I have the feeling I’m being followed…” 🙂
So heartwarming! Thank you Erica for sharing your wonderful adventure. With love from Santa Fe!
The elephants are heart-touching. Thank you for this lovely account of your visit.
I am so enjoying reading your adventure. Thank you for your wonderful posts!