Remembering the tsunami 10 years ago.

Boxing day 10 years ago two elephants from the Kraal went down south to help recover bodies. You can see more photos and information on our website here http://www.elephantstay.com/tsunami.html

Merry Christmas to everyone from Elephantstay

We would like to wish all our wonderful Elephantstayers and supporters a very Merry Christmas!

BIRTH ALERT - 7 DECEMBER 2014

Oijai gives birth to a healthy baby boy, Plai Kotchasuwan, on 7 December at 01.39am while she was away in Pattaya. This is the 61st baby born since 2000.

Elephantastic Event was a brilliant success

Jumbo thanks to Elephant Encounters and Jenny and Rob Dickens for hosting our Elephantastic Event. It was a brilliant success and we raised 4,000 dollars!! Thank you to everyone who came on the day and helped Rhonda, Helen, Barb, Michi, Rhona, Liz, Amber, Debbie, Jill, Jen, Carol, Belynda and everyone who came in support especially from interstate! Extra special thanks to Suzanne and Peter for the gorgeous book "For the love of Elephants".

 

RIP Pisamy

It is with immense sadness to let you know that today we lost our beautiful old girl Pisamy. Pisamy's health had been deteriorating lately. She was showing signs that her immune system was not responding. This quite often happens to the older elephants towards the end of their life. We did everything we could to give her a fighting chance but she did not respond to treatment. Today she stopped eating and wanted to go to the river. She had a little swim and then died. Thank you to all those that looked after Pisamy over the years and contributed to making her final years as comfortable and loving as they could be. We at Elephantstay will miss her terribly but immensely grateful that she was a part of our lives for so many years. We would be grateful if you shared photos and memories of Pisamy on her Facebook page https://www.facebook.com/Elephantstay.Pisamy

BIRTH ALERT: BABY NO. 60

Wandek gave birth to a gorgeous baby girl on 27 November 2014 at 2.09am. The little one is called Bua Sawan which means lotus from heaven. This is Wandek's 4th baby; both mum and baby are happy and healthy. Our 60th successful birth since 2000!

CNN filming at Elephantstay

CNN International came to Elephantstay and the Royal Elephant Kraal on 11 November to find out what has been happening here since the floods. Ewa was interviewed, she explained current issues about elephants in Thailand and talked about elephant protection, conservation, our elephants and the babies.

RIP Boonlua

8 November 2014: Today has been bittersweet. Rejoicing because we have a beautiful new baby elephant but crying as we say goodbye to our precious and much loved Boonlua. Boonlua was a fighter. His legs and one arm were ripped apart in a vicious dog attack, yet he struggled to live on, dragging himself to a temple were he found help. He came to the Royal Elephant Kraal in 2005. Michelle took over his care after the flood of 2006. He thrived despite his disability. Michelle designed a custom made cage for him. Although we spent time with him, as we got busy we felt he needed a companion. We gave him rabbits and a guinea pig over the years he was with us. He loved having them with him and would groom them often. Boonlua's story went worldwide on the internet.He was featured in a New York times best seller "Unlikely Loves" stories about inter species relationships. Recently Boonlua was even featured in a TED talk. Boonlua loved our Elephantstay guests. He would allow them to scratch his back. He would even hold their fingers in his little hand. But if you pulled away he would tighten his grip, to let you know he was not finished with you. One of his most endearing traits. Boonlua lived a happy, fulfilled and content life.
Boonlua you gave so much to so many people. May you be at peace. You will always be remembered and live in our hearts. We love you Boonlua.

Michelle and Ewa placed a beautiful Frangipani plant on Boonlua's resting place. RIP Boonlua.

Birth alert

We are pleased to announce that Baitoi gave birth to her second baby. Her little baby boy Supalert was born at 2.30am on 8th November 2014. Both mum and baby are happy and healthy. He is the 59th baby born at the Royal Elephant Kraal since 2000.

Loi Krathong

Yesterday was Loi Krathong, a festival celebrated annually throughout Thailand. The name could be translated as "to float a basket", and comes from the tradition of making krathong (decorated baskets).
We made krathongs from banana trunks and decorated them with folded banana leaves, flowers, candles and incense sticks. At 8pm we went down to the river, the candles and incense was lit, we made wishes and floated our Krathongs on the water. Lanterns were also lit and sent off into the night sky. Thanks to Gik, Nook, Tar, Naamwan for showing us and helping!

Elephantastic event - a ‘Stayers’ reunion & fundraising BBQ!

Michelle Reedy & Ewa Narkiewicz, (Elephantstay Program Managers) are taking a short break in Melbourne so we're taking the opportunity to have an elephant community get-together! All past visitors and wannabes very welcome.

Date: 6 December at 13:00–23:00 in UTC+11 (Melbourne time)
Venue: 17 Farnan St, Northcote, Melbourne (access via laneway in Jessie St)

Food and some soft drinks will be provided.
Definitely BYO alcohol!

There will be fabulous goodies for sale and auctions throughout the event so bring your piggy bank.

Cost: $25 pp. Preferably pay ahead by EFT to CBA BSB 063155 Acct No 10216748 (with your name) or by cash on the day.

RSVP needed for catering purposes: jen.e.maximus@gmail.com or m: 0400 594 773

Volunteer Update

Elephantstay welcomes our newest volunteer Anne Wilkinson! Anne has volunteered with us before and is joining us again for 3 months as Program Operations Officer. We and the elephants are looking forward to Anne's contribution to the elephant village!

Video: The experience of a lifetime

Elephantstayer Brandon Dean made a short video about his time at Elephantstay, the Royal Elephant Kraal and Village. He calls it the experience of a lifetime.

Video Royal Elephant Kraal and Village 

Rasamee

Our guest David wrote this poem during his experience at Elephantstay. Thank you!

Silent giant,
What are you thinking as you look into my eyes?
You might wonder about me.
Perhaps in the quiet, you are my teacher,
And be questioning my strangeness.
I try to be attentive to you,
And I attempt to listen
By I confess my ignorance of your lesson.
There is a real need to seek further understanding of you,
My mentor and friend
You are truly, a ray of light, in my life
My dear Rasamee.

Cavalia Visit

On 12 October 2014 a group of performers / trainers from Cavalia visited Elephantstay
and the Elephant Kraal and Village. We witnessed training where elephants and mahouts showcased their power and skills. Some dreams came true.

 

Volunteer update

Elephantstay welcomes our newest volunteer Kathrin Kirrmann. Kathrin is with us for 12 weeks as Program Development Officer. Kathrin is well versed in social media so we are all looking forward to her posts!

Baitoi

Just look at that huge belly of Baitoi's. We are all waiting patiently for the arrival of her little one. We don't know when this will happen ... maybe tomorrow, maybe next week, maybe next month but it will be elephantastic when she does  Stay tuned ...

Happy World Elephant Day!

Today is World Elephant Day!

Let's all help conserve and protect elephants from the numerous threats they face. Spread awareness and express your concern, share your knowledge and support solutions for the better care of domesticated, captive and wild elephants alike.

On 12 August 2012, the inaugural World Elephant Day was launched to bring attention to the urgent plight of Asian and African elephants. The elephant is loved, revered and respected by people and cultures around the world, yet we balance on the brink of seeing the last of this magnificent creature.

World Elephant Day asks you to experience elephants in non-exploitative and sustainable environments where elephants can thrive under care and protection.

Jumbo thanks to all who work everyday to help and protect these magnificent creatures!

Volunteer Update

Elephantstay welcomes new volunteer Josh! Josh will be volunteering with us for the next 12 weeks as a Program Operations Officer. We and the elephants are really looking forward to Josh's contribution to the elephant village!