Sri Prae brought to the elephant island
The elephant Sri Prae has been living on the elephant island for one and a half year. When she arrived, the villagers of Baan Pai Yai and Baan Pai Noi welcomed her with blessings. Nok Noi walked by and sees all the food and another elephant! Sri Prae is curious about Nok Noi and tries to make an acquaintance. But Nok Noi stays back a bit. No surprise here, with all the excitement and after having lived alone for so long. The village elders come to bless the elephants and adorn them with garlands of flower and fruit .
Sri Prae, 28 years old, comes from Tak, near the Burmese border, where she has worked in logging all her life. Three years ago she stepped on a landmine. After checking several elephants, the villagers of Baan Pai Yai have decided on a village meeting they would like to welcome Sri Prae on the elephant island. Last Wednesday we went with a group from the village back to Surin to find out all the details, and to make the final decision.
Three years ago Sri Prae stepped on a landmine. After two years of treatment at the elephant hospital she ended up in Surin. Since her handicap makes is difficult for her to work, the new owner had bought her to get her pregnant as quickly as possible. After forcing her to mate 40 (!) times in two months, he gave up. No doubt, so did Sri Prae. The back of her left forefoot is gone, but fortunately she can walk quite well. The foot does need daily care.
We discuss her condition with her vet, who has treated her since the accident. He demonstrated how the foot has to be disinfected: soaking in clean water and iodine for 30 minutes, then a calming and microbe inhibiting ointment, and finally a powder against parasites.
When we tell him about the project, about how the villagers together own the elephant and how we are creating an elephant island, the vet promises to come by every month to check on Sri Prae and stock up on medication. This is a great relief to the villagers. And good for Nok Noi as well, who we would really like to be seen by a vet.
The youth commission of Baan Pai Yai like Sri Prae immediately. Holding bananas they venture to come closer, and slowly they become friends with their future fellow-villager. One villager has a number of banana plantations, and often gives free food to both the elephants. Soon everyone agrees: Sri Prae will be bought by the village of Baan Pai Yai.
We have two days to prepare for her arrival: talks with the villagers about taking care of her, and how to earn money for the elephants. The villagers want to organize a welcoming ceremony for Sri Prae. And to make sure Nok Noi doesn’t get jealous, they do it for her as well. Many ideas are offered: a welcoming sign for both the elephants, the village elders should bless the elephants, a fruit buffet, flower garlands around the elephants’ necks, and Thai dancing by the young people. They start their preparations.
With support from Hivos we are able to carry out this project with and for the villagers of Baan Pai Yai. Hivos supports micro-finance houses that provide millions of people in the South with loans to let them earn a living for themselves. For this Hivos and the Triodos Bank have started the Hivos Triodos Fund. Hivos believes that people can best shape their own futures if they are given the means to do so. Besides this, Hivos takes business development up a step by helping small scale entrepreneurs with training and advice, and in the end improve employment and entrepreneurship. They also work to influence national policies in developing countries to improve access to financial services, especially for poor populations. For the elephant project in Thailand The Population And Community Development Association (PDA) carries out these tasks.
