Baby elephant wants to play with Gik (a female mahout) | Elephantstay

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Welcome back Kathy and Marc Greenleaf

Welcome back Wednesday to Kathy and Mark Greenleaf! This is Kathy's seventh time and Mark's second. Mark was happy to be finally be able to return as he says "everyone who comes here should return". What was very special about this trip is they brought along their sons from America to join the program and experience what has become a great passion for Kathy. Its been elephantastic having you all here and we hope to see you all again soon! Thanks for looking after Rosukon, Rasamee Jumpee and Oijai! 

 

Welcome back Kathy Greenleaf

Its welcome back Wednesday! We have so many people returning to Elephantstay to bond with their elephant, we thought it should have a special day we can all look forward to! Today its welcome back to Kathy Greenleaf. This is Kathy's sixth visit!! As Kathy says "Elephantstay is not just about "riding elephants". There is much work to be done on a daily basis. Cleaning up their poo, showering the ele's to exfoliate and check skin integrity, preparing daily supplements, hauling pineapple plants and let's not forget the walks which provide exercise as well as socialization and time to eat grass and play in the river. Truly a life changing experience! Everytime I learn more about the culture and living in Thailand that is very important to me" Thanks for looking after Rosukon again Kathy!

St. Stephens International School

Yesterday we gave a talk about elephants to the kids at St Stephens International School. It was a lot of fun as the kids were were so enthusiastic and excited about elephants. They worked hard to give us a generous donation and support all the work the foundation does. Thank you St. Stephens! 

Welcome back to Howard!

"My third visit to Elephantstay and had a wonderful day. My daughter Milly's first visit. She loved it as much as I. Was great to see Jumpee looking so well. Unfortunately, Ewa and Michelle weren't at home during our visit, but Lexi took fantastic care of us and made sure we both had a very fun and memorable day" Thank you for looking after Jumpee again and see you next time! 

Our Friend Pablo and his photos

Pablo visits us every year and he shares a lot of wonderful photos with us. Here his latest photos of our babies having fun.

Back Home again

Its great to be back home and having cleaned up and got organized after 3 weeks of being out because of the floods. Today we were able to accommodate all of our elephantstayers with 11 elephants! Thanks to Elephant Encounters, who were able to change their dates and help us celebrate being home and help care for our elephants!

Welcome back Michael

Welcome back to Michael for the second time. Michael came 3 years ago and had such a great, fun time he was keen to return and reconnect to Elephantstay. He looked after Oijai the first time and so was able to care for her again!

Farewell Belynda

Today we say goodbye to our sweet Belynda. She could not go any longer. We brought her home from the vets in February with 3 days of medication as she was not expected to last much more than that. We were hoping she would last to April but did not expect she would still be with us till now. Belynday was a cat with the sweetest temperament. She would not hurt a fly. It is hard to believe she had a son like Munchie, they could not be more different from each other. Over the last 6 months we have been bringing her into our house at night to watch some TV with us. She would sit on my lap for hours so content. RIP Belynda.

Welcome back Sigrid

Welcome back to Sigrid for the 4th time. Sigrid said, "I love the hands on #experience that #Elephantstay offers and I feel I'm really contributing to the welfare of #asianelephants. I'd rather be here than on a cruise any day." Thank you for taking care of Sinuwan! 💗🐘💗

Rumruay in the spotlight!

Karen Miller about Rumruay:

Rumruay, is the elephant of my heart. I first came to Elephantstay for a week in February 2015 and was assigned RumRuay.  When I looked into her kind and wise brown eyes and stroked her beautiful trunk, I fell in love!  I know everyone thinks this about their elephant, but RumRuay is truly the most beautiful, smartest, sweetest elephant in the whole world!  It was (and still is) thrilling when she reaches her trunk out to me in recognition and greeting.  She likes to take food directly from your hand instead of you putting it in her mouth and she is so delicate and well mannered. She is a joy to ride and will put her trunk up and back to me so I can caress the tip.  It is like a special little hello, like she is saying "it is nice to have you on board."

After I left Elephantstay, I was still traveling around South East Asia.  I was really missing being with Rumruay.  I had gotten so used to having my day centered around caring for her and catering to her every treat desire.  I also missed my human friends at Elephantstay,  So, I went back for another week at the end of March.  I think I managed to stay away a whole 5 weeks!  That is a long time when you are missing your elephant!  Rumruay remembered me and was happy to see me! She is even more affectionate this time and I just love being around her.  She is very funny.  When I bring her a little basket of cucumbers, after the basket is empty, she wants to stick her trunk in the little basket to sniff around and make absolutely sure that there is not a stray bit of treat remaining in the basket!

I have gotten better at balancing and standing up on her back in the river.  She and the mahout think it is hilarious when she squirts me with her trunk!  I also think it is hilarious, and refreshing, and it is so fun to be part of a joke with your elephant and the mahout!  I feel that I not just along for the ride, but am part of a happy trio!  In fact, I always feel fully included at Elephant Stay.  It is truly a privilage to be part of the caring for and loving of the wonderful elephants.

I will be back at Elephantstay as soon as I am able to work it into my schedule.  And I will always arrange it so I can be with Rumruay.  I never thought I would actually have a relationship with an elephant, but now I do and it is a joyous and special thing.  I am so happy I found Elephantstay and that I can truly be with my elephant and all of the other elephants and have an unbelievably wonderful time being part of a place that is so dedicated to loving and caring for these magnificent animals.

Honey in the Spotlight!

Kelly Frost about Honey:

A day in the life with my Honeygirl....

Honey likes a nice clean spot 2 sleep in. (and you know what they say, a good nites sleep makes everything better the next day, and my corner of toast with a little jam on starts her day nicely!)

Her Banana plants are best 2B BIG but also very green (with a hint of red on) When eating her pineapple plants she'll fold them in from her right and tear off any dry bits, the roots will always be 2 her left - hence her being right handed. She'll dust them off by bashing them against the rails, trees, or her leg, 2 remove the dirt.

When offering Honey some water - by hose - she can be cheeky and try and pinch it from you but just hold firm. Some mornings she may not want any but the afternoon she enjoys being squirted down with it!

She is a very kind and gentle girlie - but needs a bit of discipline.

When riding Honey she'll rock and roll (looking 4 more food) but clench those heels in and constantly tap her ears, remember 2 speak 2 her saying her commands over and over....

Her personality is a big as she is....

In the scrubbing station she won't tolerate 2 many people washing her face, so 1 at a time (I also took a brush in 2 the river daily 2 give her an extra wash up )

My favourite time with Honey is in the water, and the rewarding her 4 being a good girl afterwards, she loves a pineapple (so when looking 4 those fresh green big pineapple plants I forage 4 a lucky pineapple or 2 or 3 haha! She does have a sweet tooth) Am really soft with her as found a when buying her treats she's partial 2 a peanut, and I shell some of them 4 her she really smiles at me showing me it on her tongue (not 2 mention dribbling haha) - then I hide some in her hay just 2 keep her happy....

After a full day of loving this gorgeous girl with lots of love and kisses you get 2 lead her back 2 bed by holding her ear and remember her commands so she does as she's told and doesn't get in2 trouble XxX

Kelly loves ya Honey

Soi Happy times!

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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.