Among Giants

in animalphotography •  7 years ago 

When you get a chance in life to walk amongst these gentle giants, your life will never be the same again. We visited the Elephant Nature Park in Chiang Mai, Thailand and spent the day getting to know just how friendly these creatures can be. However, make sure you do your research before you go to see elephants in Thailand. Please don't ever book a tour that allows you to ride them, as there is a good chance that these animals have endured a level of abuse to get them this docile. Please do not contribute to these establishments. This one is a rescue centre that rescues elephants that were used for riding and performing and I highly recommend it.

Thanks for your support! <3

Jen

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Lovely ..
Really amazing creatures .. Glory Creator
Great picture done well

wow beautiful picture mam with elephants

When I saw this post at the top of the "Trending" section in animals I honestly rolled my eyes. Usually when I see these posts whether thats here or on other social media platforms it is complete spam of people riding the elephants saying how they believe they are well treated etc. What was a complete breath of fresh air was actually opening your post to reading the words you have written. Thank you for educating other members of the community in the right way and especially about this amazing establishment. Thank you :)

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Thanks for your support!

On another note.... I love the top... Where is it from?!

The top is actually provided by the Sanctuary! Everyone had to wear one. Trust me, I was tempted to sneak it into my bag :P

@amavi you can get them in random places in Chiang Mai, Thailand! I know you're probably not near here...but maybe on the internet. Maybe I'll just send one haha. I bought one similar to this last week... I got it in a motorcycle shop that also had some clothes for sale. How random! haha

I will certainly shop around online hopefully I can get one!! Thankyou

I onced watched a documentary telling us that elephants are earth builders.. We must not abuse these wonderful creatures.. Thank you

I'd like to see elephants up close in real life too. I was thinking of visiting Kenya but maybe a Thailand trip would be great as well!

@travelingsomm que envidia, son unos gigantes muy tiernos .

Es muy triste todo el daño causado hacía ellos por parte del ser humano.
Saludos.

Wow, what an experience it must be to be surrounded by so many elephants that are actually happy and not forced to be there and pose for the photo. Good job on researching and creating awareness. Awesome shot too.

@gabyoraa if you ever go to see tigers, know that they abuse them in some places too!

I opened your post to write a negative comment about abusing elephants, but all I can say is Thank You for spreading this information!

@maxanthony I heard that they also abuse the tigers, too. I'm also in Chiang Mai and I'm not going to take a picture with the tigers for that reason.

great shot, elephant photograph one of great object what to describe a wildlife

Beautiful post😊👍

Nice picture. I've only seen live elephants twice in my life, and believe me, they're a sight to behold.

this is the cutest pic!!

I agree with that! A good research helps... sometimes it's the best to say "no" to something.

yep, totally agree! it's nice that there's still a way to hang out with the elephants though, without abusing them. They're really smart animals and I've heard they have great personalities...which I can't wait to see for myself

Nice. Where is that ?

@joshuadenzel it's outside of Chiang Mai in the Elephant Park. I'm in Chiang Mai, too...that's the only reason I knew. Actually I think she mentioned it in the post, too. I'm going there next month :)

This is an amazing post! I will Upvote and follow :)
Hope you check my blog too, i really lack followers, and that is kind sad :(

Those elephants are so beautiful!

Elephant... ☺...i loved it... 💜🙌

Man this post is excellent. I never had a chance to see this animal in person , but you're post just brought the desire in me to actually do it one day. I too think that riding elephants is awful and a complete abuse of their nature, so this post for me is full of positivity. Beautiful creatures and a beautiful picture, keep posting Jen !

Me encanta esta fotografía, me encantaría un día de estos compartir con uno de ellos así!

Thank you for not supporting those establishments that abuse animals for a profit! I know it's a very lucrative business opportunity for a lot of folks and many people will mindlessly go book one of those tours where they get to ride the elephants for fun and as much as I would like the government to be involved in controlling those businesses, unfortunately that won't happen. So I will simply choose to not give them my money and take my business elsewhere. Thank you for doing the same!

I like elephants, although sometimes they can seem very docile and calm, at times they can get violent and out of control.

Beautiful picture, I'd love to visit Thailand for myself.
From the food to the way of living of the people there interests me a lot, if you have any advice to give a novice I'd be happy. Have a good day.

beautiful and the elephants are beautiful

Amazing post

they are gentle, they are smart and I hope you had a grand time visiting and interacting with these large gentle creatures. @travelingsomm

The nature is wonderful. We must take much care of this planet, so that these animals don't suffer.

I've never seen an elephant.. Kikikiki

Sounds like lovely experience. Good to hear about it. Thanks for sharing. Peace for all the animals #greenisbetter

Such a fantastic photo Jen, and thank you for pointing out to people the dangers of many of the elephant "attractions" in Thailand and other countries where the poor elephants are subjected to barbaric treatment. Hopefully some people learn from your informative post :)

Magnificent photography

I am alway amazed at the pure display of arrogance (really ignorance) by us humans in dealing with animals. There ought to be mutual respect - this means just let the animals be! do not presume they are happier in your cages. Thanks for being a part of the sensible group taking care of the rescued elephants.

wow. you are very brave to stand so close to so many elephant....I will definitely not dare...lol. kudos to you

So beautiful

Love the photo

Good advice, responsible tourism is important.

This ALL I WANT IN LIFE literally, love ittt

Very nice picture , I want to go there too :)

Looks pretty awesome 😎

I would love to go there loving animals

Elephants are loving animals

What you recommend visiting there with ?

It is gratifying to know of people who feel in their own flesh the abuses suffered by many animals, propitiated by those who supposedly have a higher rationale (man) and somehow contribute their grain of sand for these injustices to diminish ..... These people do deserve to be decorated and encourage them to receive the relevant help and so our animals live as they deserve.

If you're looking for a new book, you should read The Elephant Whisperer. It's a true story about how a guy in South Africa gained the trust of elephants who were in danger of being killed. Such a touching story. Aren't elephants the best animals? I remember when I went to Chiang Mai a few years ago, I visited an elephant sanctuary. I got to feed and bathe my elephant and spent the whole day with her.
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I even still remember her name. MaeBhuTa.
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They're such gentle creatures and getting to see them roam free and not exploited made me really happy.

wow.... this awesome can beside elephant.... and give some food for them,,

The elephants looks like very friendly.
Maybe i can play with them too. 😁

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Hello @travelingsomm
It is the Sumatran Elephant in Indonesia, maybe you should visit it. 😃

it must be very exciting to be able to meet with one of the great creatures. and a tame elephant .. happy to see elephants that masi rescued by the hunters and animal killers in the world .. hopefully the elephant can live peacefully with its habitat there .. really a nice holiday ... jen
please upvote me back..
nive to meet you

it must be very exciting to be able to meet with one of the great creatures. and a tame elephant .. happy to see elephants that masi rescued by the hunters and animal killers in the world .. hopefully the elephant can live peacefully with its habitat there .. really a nice holiday ...

Wild life photographer 😁

Nice photograph as well the information.

Amazing! I also visited ENP some years ago and I loved it. I even spent one magical night there... I should write about it soon :)

wow, thats amazing!

beautiful post!

  ·  7 years ago (edited)

True such an awesome feeling when around them. But be careful some time nature can go against so always be with tour guides.

Love elephant .... inteligent lovely

They are awesome creatures!!! Hope they where treated well! :-)

luckily they were friendly.

thanks for your information and i also agree with your, already your post is up voted and re steam for others who don't know about it
again thanks for your post.

Beautiful picture. we must contribute to improve the life of all living beings

What a great view ... Wonderful photo, so lovelyI love it. :)

Majestic Creatures, you are lucky to have experienced them.

I will love to take pictures with elephants. They are so gentle and gigantic that is the main thing i love about the. Thanks for sharing.

Wow, i wish i will have a chance to see one of these giant

wonderful animals! I would like to be moments in their vicinity :)

I did the same but in east Cambodia as I wasn't sure I could find any decent places in Thailand but glad there are some.

And love the fact that you've been to Chiang Mai - it's one of my favourite places in Thailand. Are you there now? If so, try to visit the 3D museum called Art in Paradise, it's really cool: http://mychiangmaitour.com/chiang_mai_art_in_paradise/

Elephant is one of those creature to play with and am looking forward to have one as pet and friend

thank you for sharing! Hoping more elephants will be rescued and that more people will be aware of the cruelty these elephants have had to endure.

The elephant is large but quite gentle and very friendly. I am very happy to know you, an animal lover like me

resteemed. THANK YOU for this educational post : For the good of our beloved giants ones.

Beautiful

How beautiful and wonderful is nature and its animals. Excellent post, greetings.

how a beautiful family of elephants .

beautiful :)

Wow. You are brave. I would be terrified.😨

I actually heard the same thing, so I'm not going to ride them, either. It was my plan to actually go to this same park...I'm just waiting until my birthday next month because I think it'd be a cool bday experience.

Also, I know where you can get those shirts! I could totally mail you one if you want. For all the people asking...you can get them in Chiang Mai in the weirdest places...I found one in a motorcycle rental place that also sold clothes...haha!

Thanks for educating us about elephant riding. Someday, I hope to see an elephant in the wild.

they look so friendly, what a great experience!

I couldn't agree more with u!