Elephant Nature Park

I have often thought that one person cannot make an impact on the world, it takes an army, a mob or riot to inspire change. This week I learned this is not the case and in fact one person has the ability to truely make a difference. Lek, the founder of Elephant Nature Park has taken it upon herself to save the asian elephant and change the customs ingrained in thai society. One women has taken in orphaned elephants, beaten, buised and left for dead; paying up to 15, 000 US dollars for these abandoned animals and have given them a new lease on life. They are taken to the park and allowed to roam free and begin to trust humans again. An elephant never forgets and yet these brillant animals seem to forgive the same creatures who tourtured them. Each elephant has their own personality, some naughty, other sweet, caring and kind. The park started with one elephant and now is home to 34, two babies, numerous stray dogs, cats, ox and a donkey. Watching these animals interact with one another and humans who respect them is an experience I will never forget. One elephant, Jokeia was a working elephant in the logging industry. Her masters put her to work long hours and shot rocks at her by sling shot when she disobeyed or stopped to rest from her work. When Jokeia was pregnant, they still forced her to work. At the top of a hill, carrying her master and bamboo trees she gave birth. Her tiny child fell down the hill to its death while Jokeia watched in horror. In grief she refused to work and her master shot rocks at her until she became blind in both eyes. Unable to use her, they left Jokeia for dead. Lek resqued her and this elephant stole my heart. At feeding time, she comes to the platform and when she cannot feel the food or the presence of the person from whom she is fed, she simply lifts her truck and opens her large mouth... and waits and waits. Jokeia has made a strong bond with another elephant in the park and when she is frightened or cannot make her way around the park she lets out a small call and her elephant partner comes running and leads her around the park. It is a true offering of love and friendship. Despite everything these animals have been through, today 34 are able to be free. I spent a week, cutting corn (with a machette!!!), scooping elephant dung, cutting banana trees, feeding elephants, bathing elephants and falling head over heels for stray dogs that slept outside my hut at night. I have been inspired to create change in my own life, not just for animals but for change in societies injustices. It can be done, one person at a time.