15 March 2013

It has taken me a couple of days to gather myself and break this news to you…

The passing of a loved one, whether they have been in your life for decades or just a few weeks, is never easy to come to terms with. 

On the 3rd February 2013, BLES rescued Somsri from a devastating existence. She was chained by both her front and back feet, in her own excrement and left to waste away. From the very moment she arrived at BLES, Somsri lived her life to the max. She stopped existing and started living, walking with her head high and proud. 

On the 24th February 2013, Somsri was rushed to the elephant hospital in Lampang, after a sudden decline in her health. Somsri received excellent care from the vets at the hospital and was making steady progress. 

However, on the 13th March 2013, Somsri’s health took another turn. She collapsed and was unable to summon the strength to ever stand again…

Watching life fade from eyes so wise is one of the hardest things to go through. Somsri, was old, she was very underweight and very ill. We knew this when we welcomed her into our family and although none of us whispered the words, I think we were all aware our time with Somsri would be short. 

Thought to be in her seventies, Somsri served as a trekking elephant, traveling from one tourist camp to another for most of her life. This all changed in January 2013, thanks to BLES supporter Sarah Blaine and her family, who heard Somsri’s silent cries for a helping hand and gave it to her. A campaign to raise the funds needed for Somsri’s rescue was launched on Facebook and 28 hours later the total amount needed had been raised. 

People from all walks of life, from all around the world, fell in love with sweet Somsri and followed her journey from Pattaya to BLES via updates on the BLES facebook fan page. It was so wonderful to see so many individuals coming together and sharing every high and low with her. To read the hundreds of messages full of love and healing energy and to know she was able to enjoy just a snippet of the freedom that was so rightfully hers — it fills my heart with happiness and gratitude. 

Somsri had obviously been fighting a chronic infection for a long time and sadly, by the time she came to us, it was just too late to turn things around. However, for me, the rescue of Somsri has been a life lesson in appreciating all the little things around me. She knew her days here would be few and I will always smile when I think of her hiding in the bamboo bushes behind our guesthouses, A mouth full of green, a trunk full of green and surrounded by big bushes — bigger than she was of beautiful green…. 

Her days with us were few, but the beautiful moments were many… Rest now darling Somsri. You are in peace, free from this world that was so cruel to you, to walk on and on and on… Hold that head high and smile, as we will when we remember you. 

Friends, you did something incredible by being a part of Somsri’s rescue. You gave this old lady the chance to smell grass again, play in the mud, throw dirt and sleep under the stars again… Be proud xxx

17 February 2013

The 14th February is a special date on the BLES calendar. It is the day BLES was able to rescue two young female elephants from a sad and depressing life on the streets. 

Tong Yui and Bong Beng arrived at BLES 14th 2010. It took eighteen months of negotiations to successfully move the girls to BLES, because the owners, who were fairly happy with their life on the streets, point blank refused to sell the two elephants. I refused to rent the girls, as I didn’t, and I still don’t, see this as a solution. The only way to secure an elephant’s safety, is to buy it.  Anon and I take time when we rescue an elephant to befriend the owners, gain their trust and we ask them directly what the funds they receive from us will be spent on. BLES knows exactly where all the funds, from every elephant rescued has been spent. 

However, when I met Tong Yui and Bong Beng, I found myself faced with a dilemma. The owners wouldn’t sell. I wouldn’t rent…. Meanwhile, the girls were getting thinner and more distressed and as I watched Tong Yui, walking the uneven pavements of Bangkok at 1am, pick up a disregarded beer bottle and try to drink the contents, I realized it was up to me to compromise.  I work in animal welfare and that means it is my job to find a solution to help individual cases of cruelty and abuse.  I couldn’t walk away and leave the girls begging on the streets and so I went against my beliefs and decided if renting was the only way I could get them to BLES, that is what I would do. I do not regret that decision. Tong Yui and Bong Beng had two and a half fabulous years with us here and they learnt how to be real elephants.  The owners discovered a more humane and relaxed way to handle their elephants, so all in all, it was a win-win situation. 

Tong Yui and Bong Beng left BLES in September 2012 and returned to their home village of Surin. Last week, we went to visit them and I was so pleased to see the girls healthy and well fed. 
The owners have built them a great stable, which is where they spend their nights and during the day, they are led to a field which the owner’s family use to grow different crops for the girls to feast on. Most days they are taken to a small pond in the village where they can swim – a simple thing they didn’t know, before their time at BLES. 

We went to a local market and purchased all the fruit they had and gave it to the girls. They were thrilled with their treats and Bong Beng was so excited, she threw a whole bunch of bananas over her head! All in all the girls are well. I commend the owners for doing the absolute best they can, with what they have available to them. Of course we all wish Tong Yui and Bong Beng could return to BLES, and I believe one day, they will. We will keep in touch with the owners and they know, if they ever need our help or support, we are just a phone call away. Before we left, I gave the owner three trees. Two jackfruit trees and one tamarind tree. The jackfruit trees represented the girls and the tamarind tree, which will grow tall and be an umbrella over the other two trees, was for Wassana…. 

Thank you for your continued support in all we do. I feel it is important to maintain good, strong relationships with organizations and individuals who ultimately want the best for all animals. I have said it before and I will say it again, it is only by supporting each other and working together, that we will be able to create positive changes to benefit the elephants and other animals. 

I dedicate this journal entry to the wonderful Pat Derby, who just recently passed away. Pat, the founder of the PAWS Sanctuary in California, was a true friend and protector to the animals. All of us here at BLES send our love to Pat’s family and animals during this tragic time… Thank you Pat for all you did. You were an inspiration to so many around the world…. Rest in Peace now xxx

Trunks of love to you all,
Katherine xx