An overview of our Rescues and other Projects
All the rescues and projects below are set out in chronological order and the reports were written at the time of the rescue - times change, babies grow up so for day to day stories of the adventures of our babies please check John's Rambling Elephant Blog.
Nong Pleum : Plai Tawan : Outreach Programmes : Nong Dah : Poon Larb and Lynchee : Nam Chok & Pumpui : Adopt a Vet : Lamyai & Meena : Makam & Nam Khong : Moskva, Musa & Riga : Manau: Sakura
Pang Nam Chok
and Nong Tong Suk (Pom Pui)
When Tong Suk was born in early September 2006 her owners were disappointed to discover that her mother was not producing milk - looking at photographs I would guess that this is due to under nourishment, these mahouts had resisted the streets as a way of life and were trying to survive as elephant owners in Surin. Despite being the traditional home of many Thai elephants there is precious little food in the dry season and precious little work for an elephant to earn her keep.
The mother wanted nothing to do with Tong Suk but another elephant, 4 year old, Nam Chok stepped in to become a surrogate sister - she could provide love and elephant companionship but obviously not milk.
The owners persevered and tried to raise the money to keep a little elephant in milk by training her to walk at heel with her sister and presenting her at the few local shows for a little cash. This was not ideal but they desperately wanted to resist taking to the streets where the tips are good but the lifestyle is not.
After four months or so the money ran out and so they came to us - we got a veterinary check, modified a truck and bought them up. The best advice has offered that we feed her with kilo's and kilo's of Golden Baby Formula, some dessicated coconut and fresh, clean leaves.
Nam Chok is generously supported by Lord & Lady Perry & Carolyn Butler, they also run the Juslyn vineyard in the Napa valley and produce a special Rescue label to help with the general fund. Drink their wines!
Tong Suk is generously supported by Mr & Mrs Rainer & Dorothy Deglmannschwarz.
Nam Chok and Pumpui Update - April 2008
Nam Chok and Pumpui, though they still stay in camp all night Pumpui no longer needs the 24hr care she once did.
Chok has handled the added responsibility of being a mother and a sister remarkably well for a young ele, she does play a little bit too hard from time to time when Pumpui is off on her travels - but this is only to be expected for a small ele who gave up her childhood for another.
When Pumpui's not around Chok stays with Nong Pleum most of the time and the two older of the babies have a good calming relationship.
Pumpui has developed into a great little elephant with great manners and a charming nature, she is still dependent on her family and completely in love with them but is also happy to interact with the other youngsters on a quiet afternoon in camp where they can be found running around looking for mischief.
Perry and Carolyn Butler have come up trumps in support of Nam Chok and the family, not only have they produced and are selling the Rescue label wine, through their boutique shoe store Footcandy they have persuaded several prominent fashion designers including Cesare Casadei to design shoes the profits from which are already coming to help these elephants.
Nam Chok and Pumpui Links
The Butlers' Elephant Rescue site, featuring the Rescue Wine and the Elephant Shoes!
Help Elephants - Walk Easy - Buy the Shoes!
Help Elephants - Drink Easy - Buy the wine!
Namchok and Pumpui enjoy a private bath
Namchok, self concsious young ele, plays with a tyre
Foundation Baby Elephants Bathing
Lynchee and Pumpui play rugby with a tyre
...another attempt, another attack, Pumpui this time
...if you won't let me steal I'm not playing nicely
She's small but she packs a punch
...tyres, the universal ele toy
Baby elephant Anantara Chiang Rai
