Elephant Refuge

This week I’ve moved over to volunteer in the Elephant Refuge part of WFFT. Around 25 elephants live here and we’ve got the pleasure of looking after them. They all have horrendous pasts, going through the ‘phajaan’ which essentially means crushing the spirit of a baby elephant so that it becomes submissive to humans- all so that tourists can get a photo riding an elephant. Google it and you’ll never consider riding one again. Some elephants here have been used for begging on the streets, logging or used for forced breeding in trekking camps and then had their babies taken away. Because of all this unthinkable trauma some of the elephants here rock side to side. One of the elephants, named Pun, was used as a breeding elephant in a trekking camp and has had every baby taken from her. When she came to the centre she was able to stay with her last baby, little Pin, but she still rocks constantly because of the trauma she’s been put through. Even though the elephants are now happy, clean, healthy and with space to roam, the rocking is a behaviour that will often never leave them. It’s heartbreaking to watch. I’m so happy Pin and Pun are together but watching Pun rock is very hard to see.

The elephants here all have their own personalities, some are sassy, some are cheeky, some are kind and gentle, all of them are a dream to watch and care for.

A typical day at the Elephant Refuge involves making banana balls (you become an expert at this) and many of the elephants you hand feed them to, to ensure they’re eating them, which is a pretty cool experience. There’s a lot of fruit chopping and making enrichment. Enrichment is super important here because, though it would be amazing if the elephants could be released, it’s actually illegal here to release them once they’ve been poached from the wild. Thankfully, it’s now also illegal to poach them from the wild too. Enrichment involves putting food into things that mean the elephants have to do a bit of problem solving to get to the fruit, for example, wrapping the food in banana tree or hiding it in tyres with straw and ropes or nets. This gets them to use their brains as they would have to in the wild, instead of just giving them food where they don’t have to think. Some of the elephants here you walk or shower too, which is such a lovely way to interact with them, whilst they get something out of it too. There’s something magical about walking side by side with an elephant. There’s also a lot of picking up poo. Bring gloves. The dogs that live at the centre like to join in with the work and hop on the truck as we go out to the elephant areas too, and then trot around as we pick up the poo. They’re full of personality and it’s lovely to have them around (especially if you’re missing your own furry friend). We have ‘special projects’ each day too, ranging from wading into the lake to pull out all the weed so the elephants can bathe easily, to cleaning tyres for enrichment, to popping over to the Wildlife side of the centre to help them scrub pools.

My favourite parts of this experience have often been just watching them. They’re fascinating, strong willed, and beautiful. The elephants that live in pairs or groups have such lovely friendships, and it’s great to watch them together.

All in all, if you love elephants and are looking for an ethical way to get up close, observe, and spend some time with these amazing animals-but also aren’t work shy or shifty about a bit of poo (who am I kidding, it’s A LOT of poo)- then this is for you.

And so my month at WFFT has come to an end. I’m tired, sore and forever covered in dirt. BUT more than that, I’m so, so grateful to have had this experience. It’s not everyday you get chances like this. I’ve met some great people, looked after some amazing animals and will really, really miss being surrounded 24/7 by primates, bears and elephants. Peace out WFFT, it’s been a pleasure.