Walking with Giants
in Chang Rai
T
hailand’s current population of
domesticated elephants is about
2,700. After a precipitous decline
from about 100,000 domesticated
elephants in 1850, numbers are now
stable. About 95% of Thai elephants
are in private ownership, with the
Thai Elephant Conservation Center’s
80 elephants being Thailand’s only
government-owned elephants apart from
a few in zoos and the King’s ten revered
‘white’ elephants in the Royal Elephant
Stable.
In 1989 the Thai government banned
all logging in protected areas, effectively
closing all remaining natural forests.
While undoubtedly a very wise choice,
one unfortunate side effect was that
it threw many logging elephants out
of work. Luckily, that loss coincided
with a rapid rise in tourism, which
was able to employ many elephants.
Today, probably more than half of Thai
elephants work in tourism.
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August 15 - September 15 , 2015
Anantara Golden Triangle Elephant
Camp & Resort is renowned for its
highly acclaimed onsite Elephant Camp,
which offers guests an inspirational
range of fun, interactive and educational
experiences with its friendly herd of
rescued gentle giants. In a natural
extension of these ethical elephant
activities, a new two hour Walking with
Giants experience has been introduced
offering a more personal and enriching
encounter.
Walking with Giants has been devised
as an optimum way of getting to know
the elephants better and develop a
deeper emotional connection. Much
more than simply a walk, it enables
guests to experience the natural joy of the
elephants’ daily free roaming time, and
also to gain enlightening insights from
scientifically qualified experts about
how these intelligent creatures think and
behave.
Guests who sign up for Walking with
Giants join the elephants on their daily
stroll, accompanied by their mahout
caregivers and either the Camp’s resident
vet or biologist. After walking from the
Elephant Camp out to the grasslands
or forest, depending on the season,
the antics of either river bath time or
playtime in the mud illustrates just how
cheeky these graceful animals can be.
Guests can help to prepare snacks for the
elephants, as well as activities for their
behavioural enrichment. Meandering
back to the camp, the scientific expert
explains about elephant biology and
behaviour, and also reveals fascinating
facts and insights about the past, present
and hopeful future for all of Thailand’s
elephants.
John Roberts, Anantara’s Director of
Elephants and Conservation Efforts,
enthuses, “One of the most inspiring
and heartwarming aspects of the camp is
when we can give the elephants freedom
to roam in their native jungle habitat,
and creating this new activity provides