Thai Trekking Elephant Rescued, Given New Home at Refuge

A trekking elephant was rescued in Pattaya, Thailand, by Wildlife Friends Foundation Elephant Refuge, and a video was shared of its journey on September 11.Those that traveled to the riding camp in which the elephant, named Jum Nong, was living filmed other elephants still being used in the practice, including an elephant calf they claimed was trained to “kiss” tourists with its trunk and who was tied up away from its mother. Jum Nong’s chains were cut off, and she enjoyed some fruit snacks during the six-hour journey to her new home. Jum Nong’s rescuers said they discovered many fresh and old wounds on the elephant’s body as they transported her, as well as parasites and eczema.Jum Nong appeared to delight in a mud bath when she arrived at the refuge, and it wasn’t long before some of the other elephants had wandered over to say hello to the new arrival. Jum Nong quickly became close friends with another female elephant called Malai, the refuge said. Credit: WFFT Elephant Refuge – Thailand via Storyful