#rattanakham #elephantrescue #journey
During the COVID crisis, many sad stories emerged about the elephant and the people who must care for them. When no income became their every day reality, the burden on the owner was often too great, having to provide 600-800 pounds of food every day.
And almost daily we received phone calls from elephant owners asking us to rescue their elephant - owners of over one hundred elephants within three months asked us to save their elephant from their situation of lack. Many elephants were sold, changing from one harsh hand to another. Often the owners didn't want to sell but necessity required it.
Rattana Kham came to us for another reason. She was injured. During COVID, as is the case in so many camps, she had no job and was chained for many months with other elephants. Boredom and frustration fostered aggression, and elephants were at greater risk of harm. Rattana Kham was injured by a bull elephant at the tourist camp where she was formerly working.
Rattana Kham is one of the lucky ones, helped by Pra Arjarn Moche who donated to her freedom, allowing her to be cared for at Elephant Nature Park for the rest of her life. Already, Rattana Kham can be seen making friends. Her days of sadness are over. Becoming an elephant again is the journey she now begins.
She begins a new life on 17 October 2020
Learn More: www.saveelephant.org