Flooding at the elephant island and moving Sri Prae
In the past two weeks large parts of Thailand have been flooded. The elephant island has been flooded, and many villages in the area have suffered severe damage. The mahout moved Sri Prae to the side of the road, where she is chained under a tree for most the day.
Since Nok Noi died, we are concerned about Sri Prae. It’s certainly not a good situation that she is alone now. But we have also found some problems with the care of Sri Prae, in terms of our no chain and no hook-policy. Furthermore, the area seems less suitable: floods in the rainy season and drought in the dry season. After a number of village meetings, and changing mahouts, we have arrived at a point where we couldn’t continue. Because the project doesn’t meet our objectives any more, we cannot promote the project. But if we stop promoting the project, the elephant committee won’t have enough funds to take care of Sri Prae. A difficult decision, but it is our responsibility to make sure the elephant is having the kind of life we promised.
The two villages have held meetings separately, without Bring the Elephant Home, and have voted about the issue. The conclusion of these meetings: Most of the villagers are concerned about Sri Prae too, agree that her life in Chiang Mai will be better, and are reluctant to follow our elephant welfare policy in the future (no hook, no chain during the day, no riding or show).
Eventually, after consultation with the villagers and with partner organizations PDA, we made the decision this week: it is better for Sri Prae if she moves to the Elephant Nature Park in Chiang Mai.
Good news for Sri Prae, but less for the project. Because without elephants, it will be more difficult to find people for the homestay. PDA will continue the project in the villages though, and the tree nurseries and the tree planting will continue as well. The area has all the facilities now to bring other elephants to the island in the future. Then the villagers and the elephants owners can manage the project in their own way, without the need to invest a lot in the project. But since we are responsible for the welfare of Sri Prae, it is important for us now that she gets the life that we promised her.
On Wednesday, November 3 we will move Sri Prae: a long journey from Buriram to the Elephant Nature Park in Chiang Mai. This Tuesday a team from ENP and BTEH will stay in Baan Pai Noi. After arranging all the paperwork, a last evaluation talk with the villagers, we plan to leave Wednesday afternoon. Early Thursday morning we will arrive at the Elephant Nature Park to introduce Sri Prae to her new family.
It feels strange to move Sri Prae from the project. But if we see her free in the Elephant Nature Park, surrounded by so many other elephants, I’m sure it immediately will turn out to be the right decision. We will update the website as soon as possible after the journey!
Pictures: Eric Boubel.
