The Rescue of Adorable Aroon
Aroon’s story is one filled with hope for the future of Thailand’s elephants and one we are extremely proud to share.
Born in a camp in Chiang Mai, Aroon spent the first six years of his life in the tourist industry. His sweet nature and playful personality, made him popular with the tourists as well as his carers at the camp.
When the owner of the camp contacted us directly and explained that she needed help, we listened. She explained that due to tourism being at an all time low in Thailand, she was struggling to find the funds to pay her staff and care for the elephants in her camp.
The owner of this camp also spoke about how she had followed the mission of BLES for many years and liked the way we conducted our work - always giving truthful accounts and treating local people with the upmost respect. She said it made her feel like she could trust us.
She then went on to share that in order to keep her camp afloat, she needed to raise money quickly and that was why she was reaching out to BLES.
Aroon had caught the attention of another, less ethical camp in Phuket, who were keen on buying him and training him to perform in their tacky show. A travelling circus had also shown interest in Aroon, as well as a local temple, who wanted to tie him up in front of the temple to encourage more visitors.
Knowing what Aroon’s future would be if he ended up with these people and being stuck in a financial rut, Aroon’s owner asked if we could take him in and give him a life filled with family and freedom. She loved him too much to let him live the rest of his life in captivity. She wanted the best for him and in her own words, she said, ‘BLES is the only sanctuary that I know and trust to take good care of my boy’.
BLES Founder, Katherine Connor, immediately launched a fundraising campaign to raise the funds needed to save Aroon and BLES supporters from all around the world responded to his plight with passion. The funds were raised in less than twenty four hours!!!
Even though Aroon had never been on a truck before, he followed the mahouts on to the truck and stayed calm as they adjusted the support frame around him. We distracted him with watermelons and in no time at all, we were ready to hit the road and drive our little boy home to BLES.
The journey took five hours and understandably, Aroon was confused and stressed throughout the journey. Our team of highly experienced mahouts knew exactly how to minimize his stress. They sat beside him for the entire drive, feeding him treats, talking to him and made regular stops to hose him down and give him an opportunity to play with the water.
Aroon couldn’t wait to get off the truck and ran into the Quarantine Area like an excited child at Christmas! The BLES Team had pulled out all the stops and decorated the Quarantine Area with so much fun enrichment! Bales of hay, a giant sandpile with fruit hidden inside, banana trees tied up to poles, bundles of grass and sugar cane hidden all around the enclosure, a heart shaped welcome fruit feast and even rainbow bunting and flags were draped all over - purely there for our beautiful boy to pull down, throw around and have fun with!
Adorable Aroon arrived at BLES on the 3rd July 2025. He was instantly adopted by Mare Ladee, Dok Lak and Thong Poon and it is a sensational sight to see Aroon and his Aunties, moving through their forest home, together, as a family.
Aroon is a typical baby and loves to charge around and create chaos! His patient aunties are always keeping a watchful eye on him and he even brings out the playful side in them too!
We can not thank everyone who rallied around for Aroon enough. You are all his angels and we are forever grateful for you.
