18
May/Jun 2015
2
bloodymindedness Nigel prospered to
accumulate 27 elephants – a number that
has now grown to 31 thanks to breeding
within the park. (The new arrivals have the
same father but four different mothers.)
Before our visit to enjoy all the park had to
offer we took time out to meet with Nigel
and his wife Yanie. Their enthusiasm for the
project and love for the elephants remain
undimmed. A quick look at TripAdvisor reveals
overwhelming praise for the park combined
with the odd complaint that the elephants are
secured in one place when not on the move
and about the use of small spiked hammers
by the elephant ‘mahouts’ – or keepers. It
clearly rankles Nigel. He points out that anyone
who has ever seen elephants let loose will
know the destruction they can cause and this
is the reason for both. The real truth actually
comes from one of the lines in Operation
Jumbo where he says “In an ideal world these
elephants would be roaming free, but we do
not live in an ideal world.” Besides, it’s hardly
likely a man is going to go to so much trouble
and put himself in a huge amount of debt
to save the elephants, supply their food and
medical care out of his own pocket and then
not treat them a well as he possibly can.
Our appreciation of the elephants began
the second we walked into out Park View
room with a balcony overlooking the entire
park. Watching animals eat has rarely been
so fascinating as we marvelled at their
insatiable appetites. The park and gardens
were designed by Nigel and he obviously has
a huge flair for this type of exercise. They have
recovered from the one time an elephant did
get loose for 90 minutes and caused US$17,000
worth of damage – costly proof of his point
about how destructive they can be.
The whole place has a wonderful vibe for
passing the time of day. If you’re impatient to
get a bit closer to the star attraction then a
short walk takes you to the main feeding area
“I had an amazing time at the Elephant Safari Park. Being able to
get so close to these majestic animals and to interact with them
was a very special experience and I can’t wait to return.”
Glenda Dean, Essential Bali Guest reviewer
where the elephants spend a fair amount of
time chilling out, swimming and posing for
photographs (for which they usually charge
the princely sum of a piece of fruit). There was
plenty of time for that, so in the room it was
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