Peter & Melissa in Türkiye

Today we were out the door at 630 am to drive to the elephant sanctuary 30 minutes away. This  sanctuary is guided by ethical practice and began with lessons about kindness and compassion towards the nine elephants, and a history of where these elephants have been rescued from including circuses, elephant riding and haul logging - was very sad and many elephants bear the scars, such as flat heads from seats, backs deformed from riding and behaviours such as rocking/swinging in order to be fed. The sanctuary allows the elephants to free roam, accessing the beautiful forrest, lagoons and food. Each elephant is assigned one mentor or elephant whisperer called a ‘mankind’ who 100 percent cares for them. Great emphasis is placed on ensuring the mankind has good mental health and as it is acknowledged that this affects the behaviour and wellbeing  of the elephant in turn. They have two males and seven females including an 11 month old calf who will breastfeed for four years, the mother was pregnant for 2 years. The elephants are purchased as a rescue for about $200,000 US and no government support is given as they are considered ‘domestic rescues’ contrasted with ‘wild rescue’ which is subsidised . Money is sourced from tourism /donations  with 80 percent for elephants and 20  percent the physical environment, food and staff. The elephants are fed constantly during the day on protein balls and wide selection of fruit. We made their protein balls from rice, salt, fruit and figs. An Asian elephant is smaller, more toes, one prong trunk and smaller ears, are about 3000-5000 kg in weight. African elephants  are larger, less toes, big ears and single lump on forehead. this sanctuary is obviously for Asian breed. Elephants eat and pooh within 30 minutes - in and strait out, so need to eat and drink constantly. Each elephant eats between 300-500 kg a day/10 percent of their body weight. They lay down on a side after eating and self regulate alternating to the other side for their next sleep. Each elephant has their own ‘personality’ and this was clear with the eldest one being 63 years gentle and social and another  ‘rambo’ being impatient and vocal. We fed all elephants except for the calf who is fiercely protected by her mum. After our lesson and preparing their food we fed them with clear instructions on not teasing them, offering food in their mouth or trunk and to respect if they didn’t want it. The elephants are placed behind a low fence whilst we fed them but if at anytime they want to step over they will as they are free roaming. We then washed two elephants with handfuls of mud and water splashing. Again, the elephants dictated what and for how long. We then rinsed them off with a long brush in a seperate shower section. The experience was surreal. They were beautiful, huge and gracious. We were quite overwhelmed.

After we said goodbye we attended a cooking school session within the sanctuary, and made a vegetarian pad thai and thai som sai papaya chilli garlic salad. They were delicious and so much fun cooking with our small group of five (including honey nooners from Mexico) in a village rustic outdoor space with elephants hooting nearby. After our group lunch of fruit, rice, thai soup and our cooking we all sat and painted little plaster elephants!
We are mud covered, hot and have full hearts after an experience we will never forget!Read more