I watched the lumps of elephant dung float by my legs and couldn’t have been happier.
Lawan rolled over, turning belly side up as she indulged in her daily bath. I shrieked in delight and struggled to hang on to her massive body. Loud trumpeting and sparkling sprays of water filled the air as the elephants talked amongst themselves, telling wondrous stories human beings could never comprehend.
Later, as we trekked under the sweltering afternoon sun, Lawan’s large, strong, ears flapping comfortably against my wet legs– I thought about how blessed I was. I’d made it.
For years, I’d loved elephants and dreamt of the day I’d meet one up close. This dream came true last February when I signed up for the 3-day mahout training program at The Elephant Conservation Center in Lampang, Thailand.
At the start of the program, the director lined up all participants (six of us in total) and said, “Now, pick your elephant.”
Heart fluttering, I approached the giants. Standing eerily still, they looked down at us with uncannily wise eyes, waiting.
So how does one pick an elephant? I worried (I’m anxious by nature) that I’d pick the wrong one. My eyes came to rest on Lawan, standing to the far left of the group and I knew–it was meant to be.
For three days I learned how to care for elephants, learned basic commands, trekked through the jungle, slept in a hut (quite a nice hut, I might add) and braved jungle waters for a few highly entertaining swims (I tried not to think about the possibility of creepy creatures swimming beneath my feet).
More importantly I learned about the plight of Thailand’s elephants and the conservation efforts under way. All of the elephants had stories to tell; stories (some sad) of how and why they’d ended up at the center, cast-offs in a world growing too small and selfish to contain them.
Though I’m well aware there are unscrupulous organizations exploiting elephants for profit, The Elephant Conservation Center is a true sanctuary and I applaud them. The elephants are well-loved and love their mahouts in return. Knowing what some of the elephants have been through and how much they remember, it’s unbelievable that they are such forgiving creatures.
I highly recommend a visit to anyone with a love for elephants or those yearning for an adventure.
I’ll never forget that last morning, when Lawan walked through the trees and into the sunlight, taking the sugarcane gently from my hands. She chewed in contentment, staring directly into my eyes, seemingly at peace with her surroundings. Despite all she’d been through, she had all she needed.
I realized I had all I needed too.