we visited a TRULY ETHICAL Elephant Sanctuary | Elephant Nature Park Chiang Mai Thailand

[@mokko759]

I volunteered at ENP. Stay the week, work and enjoy the experience. The food is amazing, the work is not hard but fulfilling, there is great camaraderie amongst the volunteers and staff and the education you receive is truly humbling. Not just quarantined/sick elephants are kept in pens. The males are NOT free-roaming. They are too unpredictable and dangerous. They WILL kill you if they feel like it. They generally aren't even in the same compound as the females, they are kept across the river where it is staff-only. No breeding is allowed at the park. The few babies born at the park are from elephants that were pregnant at the time of rescue. Except for the few babies that were born at the park, none of the elephants are truly healthy. The most common injuries are: Blindness from either intentional blinding as punishment or bright circus lights. Deafness from street begging and shows/all the city noise. Landmine injuries to the feet. Broken legs from logging accidents Broken hips from forced breeding Various scarring and lesions from bull hooks and chains. When an elephant passes, they are generally buried where they pass. Stone pillars are built around the grave and a tree planted on top. You can see two in the background at 1:53. ENP provides sanctuary to more than just the elephants and water buffalo. They also have hundreds of dogs in their care, waiting for adoption, pigs, cows, rabbits etc. There is also nearly 2000 cats in their care which unfortunately will never be adopted out because they have communicable diseases so ENP provides them with medical care and a safe home for the rest of their days. Even if you can't visit the park, there have an online shop or you can donate to them directly.

[@matandangie]

Wow 🥹thank you so much for providing all the info. I’m so glad you loved it as well and we really hope to come back to volunteer there! Angie wanted to stay there forever 😍😍🐘

[@primateriawiberg2998]

❤️👍

[@CristinaF210]

i wouldnt care if the work is hard, they worked for decades VERY HARD, lost everything their babies they were abused chained, its the LEAST I could do for them, what we all can do for them, you are very lucky to have had that opportunity im VERY jealous😃♥♥

[@mokko759]

​@@CristinaF210 The volunteer program is open to anyone, the hard part is paying the fee and actually getting there. People with various health limitations were still there, helping as they could so there's very little in the way of restrictions. Most volunteers agree that the hardest work is cutting the grass. You're not out with a mower, you're out with a machete because the grass is 12ft tall and is being harvested as cattle feed. If you can handle a couple hours of harvesting, you can handle anything.

[@kungbe8696]

I did research in this elephant camp. As obove comment stated that it has volunteer program. The aim is to help injured elephants, disabled elephants, and elderly elephants so that they have a life that is not difficult. This elephant camp uses the money earned to manage the expenses of raising elephants which costs a lot Including the mahout's wages. These elephants will live free, without chains or hooks. The latest elephant rescued it was a female named "Namthip", it starved to the point of being very thin. The owner of the elephant camp paid to help her and brought to be raised at the elephant camp. Now she completely fat and cute😁🥰.

[@terribell6697]

Lek is an amazing person , what she has created is remarkable ,she really cares and puts the elephants needs first , she’s always looking for new ways to do better …

[@CristinaF210]

i loved loved loved your video you talked about everything needed to explain what these angels go thru they are intelligent magnificent beings and should be treated accordingly, well, ALL animals should be treated with kindness and respect and LOVE, they give us so much unconditionally and they dont have to, but they still do, they still trust evil humans they still show love and care for humans its pretty amazing since these beings are very intelligent they KNOW what is around them thank you for explaining all that you did, excuse my bad english as well, showing the world if tourists stop paying for elephants rides stop going to circus stop going to zoos or zoos where they are exploited living in a small area with a chaines still on their legs zoos like that are prevalent if we stop paying for these then those evil humans HAVE to stop cruelty to them bc no one shows up. so thank you both, information is power

[@natashafaria2021]

I’m currently researching true elephant sanctuaries because I just saw a video where this couple visited a so-called "sanctuary." However, they were feeding the elephants, which were confined to small spaces so tourists could interact with them, and there were scheduled baths for tourists to participate in. This isn’t what a true sanctuary should be, as the elephants are essentially forced to be there for human entertainment. I really appreciate this video and feel fortunate to have found this organization, which represents what a sanctuary should be: a place where elephants are left alone, admired from a distance, and respected in their natural habitat

[@eshw23]

Had to give this video a like, thank you for caring about the welfare of these animals.

[@cyndiebologna7365]

Thank you for this beautiful and heartfelt glimpse into the lives of these magnificent creatures. You made me cry! I want to volunteer here so I can help give back while meeting and respecting them from a distance. I do think there should far more space between the visitors and animals, but from what I understand, this is one of the better sanctuaries in Thailand. The animals do look happy; I truly hope that they are💜🐘

[@matandangie]

Wow, thank you ❤️ I (Angie) cried a lot even while editing this vlog 😅 the elephants are so magnificent ❤️ we hope you will enjoy your volunteering there, it will be an incredible adventure ❤️

[@rachelrabbit8597]

Been to this one. Amazing place! So happy they have a nice life now ❤

[@matandangie]

Being able to see the happiness in their eyes is everything 🥰🫶🏻

[@JUANORQUIO]

That’s Incredibly Awesome And Lovely Adventure!

[@matandangie]

Yes it was! Loved this place so much 😍🥹

[@heidilopes]

Amazing I want to go there ENP from Lek

[@sittichaitipsom8955]

Thanks video happy days and good luck for you very much and Thailand beautiful elephant amazing 🙏🙏🙏🎉🎉🎉♥️♥️♥️🐘🐘🐘🐘🐘🇹🇭🇹🇭🇹🇭

[@matandangie]

Thank you 🥹🥹❤️

[@annew.1]

Elephants are matriarchal so the females stick together in groups and they are very cute. Gentle and quiet with a sense of humor. As a child, I sat on my father's shoulders to look at and give the elephants a fruit snack. The elephant used its trunk to take the piece of fruit from me and when it was done eating, it used its trunk to search my empty jacket pockets. Then finding no more snacks, it then tickled me lightly and touched my little face before leaving 😂

[@annew.1]

Also if you love animals, visit a rescue horse farm. Many horses are used as equine therapy for humans who have trauma type issues. Horses are prey animals so they are sensitive to the moods of others around to alert them to predators. So they mirror your deep emotions. If you are frightened, they are the same. If you are happy, and relaxed, they will follow you around since you are their protector. Animals define us humans in many ways that are overlooked.

[@matandangie]

This seems like the cutest moment.. such precious interactions with animals will last a lifetime in our hearts.. glad you shared it with us ❤️

[@matandangie]

I (Mat) didn’t know all these things about horses and it’s fascinating what you shared! So thank you! Angie’s family has 3 horses back home in Italy and they love them so much so I definitely can see your point. We haven’t thought about a rescue horse farm yet.. so thank you so much for the tip 😍

[@matandangie]

Do you a good ethical one we should visit? 😍

[@annew.1]

@@matandangie I was at a local zoo in another country when my dad took me to see an elephant. It was behind a fenced area but it can interact with visitors. Haven't seen free roaming ones myself.

[@cottypuff7452]

Im glad to see many people care for these elephants but I want to inform a bit about elephants in Thailand, its not like what many people think that they just feed elephants for tourism. Most of the elephants in sanctuary are not wild elephants; they are domestic elephants that lived and grew up with human since they were born. They lived with human for many generations, some of them want to be in touch and interact with human and most of the sanctuaries in Thailand are private organizations or some are run by families that took care of elephants for many generations from time to time, they think of elephants as their families members. Taking care of elephants needs a lot of money and resources, which is why santuary have to open for tourist. They did not force elephants to do the things like bathing with elephants, that was just their normal routine, those domestic elephants like bathing cuz Thailand is hot (and they grew up with that) and their caretakers just help them clean themselves. Thai people really care for elephants because they were parts of Thai culture and history.

[@vigneshvel5251]

Loving this amazing vlog! I would be travelling to this place some time soon. Thanks for the information provided. It would also be great if you could mention what gears or equipment you used to vlog as I am also preparing myself to do vlogs!

[@matandangie]

Thank you! 😍 so glad you enjoyed! We film everything with our iPhone (12 pro max and 13 pro max) plus we have a mic from Sennheiser mke200

[@mscatherinelong67]

I saw a friend who had been to a sanctuary that wasn’t ethical and I started posting a comment on their socials but stopped. I love their eyelashes.

[@Milordbovarobernese]

ENP is so far best and truly genuine Sanctuary for elephants

[@matandangie]

We loved it as well 🥹

[@SharleneAhmed-p5j]

Which package did you do? I’m going in a few months and want to back the same as you! Xx

[@melissalarson2569]

My dream is to go there. Until then i try to help support them by sending elle cakes and donating.

[@matandangie]

Awww that’s awesome Melissa 😍🥹 you’ll love it when you’ll finally go there! 🐘

[@primateriawiberg2998]

❤❤🎉

[@matandangie]

🫶

[@keangwooichoo6138]

Yes make sure "sanctuaries" are ethical

[@matandangie]

Exactly 🥰🙏🏻

[@farhatali2763]

Miss Yong fire explore power wild life this ur different types of volg best ur best fishs shark's ur super on KZbin different specialy in volg ur super ur outfits ur explore style and turely best view ur carrying for wildlife I love to and I love ur view ur carrying super tow lava stylish fire on wildlife village geart everything ur quality ability beauty experience i love u may tow unique rare expansive fine quality gems ur best ha ha ur telling about playboy this nature we r same wildlife and humans life this like body needs foods soul need relxy this ways thanks I can't not wanting next one

[@matandangie]

Thanks we are so glad you liked it! 😍

[@farhatali2763]

Too much how much too much

[@KaliMaaaaa]

i love and appreciate your vids, but I would never say that this is "ethical" or a "sanctuary" for many reasons and I have talked to enough locals over the years to know, it is not. There should be ZERO interaction with tourists (especially that close) and they have numerous other issues that have been going on for years. There are no ethical animal sanctuaries in Thailand that I know of, this place is just a cleaned up version of the horrors of animal tourism I saw there decades ago, but it is all still be driven by profit. Also, this woman and her partner (i dont know if she is still with) started all the taste of heaven restaurants in Chiang Mai-another vegan rip off/money maker. If people are ethical vegans their businesses are not operated this way.

[@matandangie]

We are not against profit, if made without hurting animals.. it’s about a sustainable business for them as well, and if the “westerners” money they manage to treat animals great, I’m down for being ripped of my money 😅 If they’re not treating animals well I’d like to know more about that, and understand better what you just put it out there, cause what we saw was everything in the interest of the elephants and of the other animals living there Thanks for appreciating the videos 🙏

[@robertnew4568]

Lots of nonsensical myths about elephants at this place? Never “touch” an elephant? Huh? WTF?