Thailand is famous for elephants. They entice tourists to visit their country by using animals for recreation or, in the case of elephants, a ride on their backs.
Little do visitors know, their handlers are mistreating these captive elephants on a daily basis.
These elephants are separated from their mothers at a very young age by handlers taming them for tourism purposes. Since these gentle giants bring in a lot of money, most of these parks have chosen to use the terms ‘sanctuary’ or ‘hidden’ to assuage the growing number of reports against them.
For years, animal activists have been trying to save these elephants from captivity. Thankfully, some groups were successful, such as the one that freed Khum Min.
Khum Min is a trekking elephant in Northern Thailand.
He is an Asian elephant, a species of elephant known to be endangered. Most of the baby elephants are chased from their mothers when they are oppressed called Phajaan,
At the age of eight, these elephants begin training as trekkers. Khum Min is unfortunately one of many elephants destined to be a trekker and live in a trekker camp all his life.
Wherever they went, the elephant was chained and made to stand in concrete for hours. They grow old in this condition, and it is truly heartbreaking that mighty and intelligent beings are treated like this.
A group of people noticed Khum Min.
Rowan Hetherington and her team decided to free Khum Min and break free from her shackles. They walked to the release site in Northern Thailand as they gently walked and said kind words to the old and tired elephant.
The group finally reached the release site, and Khum Min was now standing on a new lawn.
From the neck down to the feet, Khum Min was tied with chains. Rowen’s team gently removed his shackles, and it was as if the elephant knew what was going on because he was so calm.
As the two removed his chains, one of the rescuers gently patted Khum Min’s trunk, saying, “…you’re a nice guy, aren’t you? You will live a life of luxury. ”
After what seemed like forever, Khum Min has finally escaped the harsh life inside the climbing camp.Without thinking, Khun Min took the first step towards freedom. Rowen and her team were so happy they started crying with joy. The elephant started walking towards the trees, leading to a remote village to join other elephants.
