Chiang Mai: Meaklang Elephant Conservation Community

I am currently typing this post from my iphone; on the highway in Iran from the city of Yazd to Esfahan. Last November, I had a chance to visit Chiang Mai, Northern Thailand. A day trip to the elephant sanctuary in Chiang Mai was one of the happiest day of my life! (I had quite a few of those)

Before I begin, let me highlight some real issues regarding animal conservation. I urge every traveller visiting these elephant sanctuaries to do your thorough research. Some “sanctuaries” do not practice proper animal care and actually encourage animal abuse.

DO NOT patronise elephant riding sanctuaries.

Elephant riding is actually an abuse, as most of such establishment cares more about tourists and how much revenue they can generate, while abusing the animals. A mount for elephant riding is usually required in order for passengers to sit on. However, these mounts or wooden stilts actually sqeezes the ribs of elephants. How would you feel if you were to stay in a tight; unbreathable corset for 24 hours a day? These mounts were usually never taken off from the poor elephants.

After some research, I decided to visit Meaklang Elephant Conservation Community; an elephant sanctuary that bans elephant riding and allow these gentle giants to roam freely. I signed up for the full day tour to this sanctuary that includes 2 way transport, lunch and the full programme of learning how to care for the elephants with just 1200 Baht. The bus picked me up from my hostel early the following morning.

First kiss of nature once you alight from the bus

And this small little hut (entrance) greets you

A short introduction and briefing later upon reaching, a change of clothes and lockers were provided. Bananas were also provided- they are catnip to the elephants.

Elephants, as gentle as these giants are, they’re a very shy species. It took me close to 6 hours just for these beautiful creatures to briefly warm up to me.

My day was spent getting to know the elephants, understanding how to approach them and care for them, learning about farming their main source of diet, making elephant vitamins, feeding them food and vitamins, lunch, an elephant mud spa and finally a river bath with the elephants.