Moving the elephants to the island
Buriram – The past two weeks we have spent with a group of volunteers from Commundo working on and around the elephant island. Commundo had organized a family volunteer trip to the island, and with the help from this group we could get a lot of work done. There was a lot to be done: freeing previously planted trees from weeds, endless fertilizing, planting food for the elephants, placing a sign along the road, building the elephant house, giving nursery training… Also, we want to include the local school in the elephant island, and we were being followed by two television crews. It all worked out.
And then there is this: The elephants Sri Prae and Nok Noi have been moved to the island most suited for their needs (the area consists of several islands)! Together with all those involved – the villagers of Baan Pai Noi , Baan Pai Yai, partner organization PDA, the local government and many volunteers - we have taken another step. The elephant island is a beautiful home to Sri Prae and Nok Noi, and will be an example that things can really be different. Read the rest of the report and see the photographs.
During the past few weeks, a lot of people visited the island. In the first weekend two BTEH volunteers from the Netherlands came by, and ten students from Bangkok, to help out with the volunteer jobs, and to make a movie about the elephant island and everything that is going on here. The second weekend we got help from ten volunteers from Bangkok, Hua Hin, and the Netherlands. As usual, we received help and entertainment from all the children from Baan Pai Yai. With this many excited participants we get a lot of work done, and the atmosphere on the job is great. A review:
Banana trees. We have planted over one hundred banana trees on the island, food for the elephants. This is something we will be doing a lot, because some of the planted trees will no doubt be eaten by the elephants immediately. But for now, there is plenty of food growing on the island.
Teaching 4th, 5th, and 6th grades of the local elementary school about elephants and deforestation.
After the lesson about Thai elephants and the introduction of the elephant island, we ask the children if they have ever been there. About have of the children have never met Nok Noi and Sri Prae, even though they live nearby! The other half we know from the villages. These are the children of the families we work with. They get to hear all about the project through the activities at their village, by seeing what is going on, and from their parents. But a class just for them, answers a lot of their questions. The children are very excited, and don’t want the lesson to end. In between the different parts of the class all of us play games. After running, singing and jumping around endlessly, and a lot of new information for the children, we do have to go; a great disappointment for the children. The teacher agrees to take them on a school outing to the elephants that same week. Of course, the children can’t wait!
We pick the children up at school in a small truck. We had anticipated several runs, but all 60 children happily pile up in the little truck, and want to get to the island as quickly as possible. When they see the elephants, they immediately form two large circles around the elephants. The lessons at school were great, meeting the elephants is better, of course. In the drawing competition a lot of the children wrote texts like I love Nok Noi and Sri Prae on their drawings. And everybody promised to come back and feed the elephants.
The area consists of several islands. After a lot of talking and the promise that the permits will definitely be ready by next month, we are ready. The gouvernor has given long term permission to use the island Koh Pra as elephant island. This is the most suitable island, and a real home to Sri Prae and Nok Noi. This permission means we can start building the elephant housing immediately, and that the elephants can move to Koh Pra.
Building the elephant housing. During the volunteer weekend we start on the elephant houses. The holes in the ground have been dug, and 12 heavy poles need to be taken to the island. A number of volunteers swims with the poles to the island. Unfortunately, the poles turn out to bee of poor quality, and we have to do the whole thing again the following week. By now there are enough people involved in the build to have adequate supervision. It has to be finished in a month.
Moving the elephants. Having the elephants cross the river will be a tough job. We ask the mahouts in Surin if they want to help. It will be a scary operation for Nok Noi and Sri Prae, but it should be done as quickly as possible, and in one go. Thus, on our last day, nine mahouts from Surin drop by. Nok Noi immediately knows she will be forced to do something and runs off. Sri Prae is first. Two mahouts sit on her back, three go in front of her into the river, and the rest follows her. I really wish I could explain to her that is isn’t that big a deal, and that this island really is a better home for her. She tries to turn around in the river, but then moves to the other side full speed. On the bridge a lot of villagers have joined, and of course, the children are there again as well. In 20 seconds, she is on the other side, where she takes off immediately. Somewhere on the other side of the island she starts grazing the fresh grass which is plentiful. In the mean time, Nok Noi is ready as well. Her own mahout is already on the island, calling her, together with Pi Teew, who gives her bananas every day. This crossing goes pretty smoothly as well. Everyone is relieved to have this over with. It is a beautiful sight, the grazing elephants between the trees. The villagers also tell us this is a better place for them. Now it is truly an elephant island.
A special thanks goes to our team of volunteers during the past two weeks: Marja, Eddy, Kyra, Mared, Nina, Kirsten, Margriet, Mascha, Jesse, and Corrie: you have been a great team! Because of Jessies fundraising efforts, Nok Nois and Sri Praes bank accounts are full again, so the villagers will have enough money to take care of the elephants for a while.
The children are helping the volunteers planting banana trees.
The sign promoting the island is being placed.
Fertilizing and covering the tree with leafs to protect it against weeds, and to retain moisture.
First job done!
We try to get Sri Prae further into the river to let her practice. The island where she will eventually be going can be seen in the background.
Elephant and tree lessons at the local school. Here, the children create English words with the letters Elephant Homestay.
After a day of theory, the children go and visit the elephants. Sri Prae and Nok Noi get fruit from a lot of hands.
Drawing competition elephants and trees on the island.
The children get to wash the elephants themselves.
The smallest girl in the school is the first to show how to wash an elephant. She can’t stay away from the elephants.
Awarding the prizes in the drawing competition.
Moving the two elephants.
Reception on the other side.
Free elephants on a much greener island. This was definitely worth the crossing!
