Master Monet
Master Monet is curious, playful and loves splashing in the water!
Monet was just 13 years old when he was re homed to BLES in September 2026.
His life started like most captive elephants in Thailand - born in a camp. Forced to entertain tourists, he was prematurely separated from his mother, broken in and sold into a life of walking the city streets, begging for food.
Monet’s life took a turn for the better when he was around six years old. A kind family from Surin, who shared a passion for elephants, took pity on the young calf, bought him to their small village and did their best to care for him.
Things were going well, until the covid pandemic hit Thailand. Life was a struggle for the family, but support came to them in the form of a US based non for profit - Gentle Giants.
Elephants are expensive animals to provide for, particularly young bulls and Gentle Giants provided the family with the finacial security needed to keep Monet fed and safe.
For six and a half years, life was stable for Monet and his human family. But then, unexpectedly, the family found themselves in a serious financial predicament, that meant they had no other option, but to sell their beloved Monet.
When BLES agreed to give Monet a forever home, Gentle Giants launched an urgent fundraiser and together with BLES, successfully raised the funds needed in just two days!
When the day arrived to collect Monet, he was understandably nervous. His owner’s whispered words of reassurance and with some gentle encouragement from the BLES mahouts, Monet mounted the truck with ease.
Once the truck took off, things took a worrying turn. Monet became agitated and aggressive. He damage the truck and hurt himself.
Thankfully, our team of experienced mahouts were able to calm Monet down, keeping him and themselves, safe.
Our journey home to BLES with Monet was a stressful one, but we perservered through the floods and storms, always ensuring Monet’s wellbeing.
Eighteen hours later, the BLES Team, together with Monet, finally arrived home - safe, sound and soaked!!
Due to the non stop and heavy rain, there was no power upon our arrival!
This meant we had to navigate Monet off the truck and into the stables, where his welcome home fruit feast was waiting for him, with nothing but the glow from a few solar lights and torches!
Monet became a part of The BLES Family on the 26th September 2026. Since his arrival, he has enjoyed socialising with a number of our older ladies and can often be found in the streams, ponds and rivers, soaking his feet and playfully sopashing water EVERYWHERE!!
Thank you so much to every single person who refused to give up on this young boy. Every single donation, comment, share and prayer, played an integral part in making this happen for Monet.
He is only here, because you were there…. Thank you xx
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