We spoke to the sanctuary's owner, Michael Vogler, to learn more about the daily lives of elephants at MandaLao. "We started taking them on morning walks and we’d go up a small stream nearby, through the jungle, so it’s always nice and cool, they’re in water, it’s good for their feet, there’s food for
them to eat – so it’s almost like a form of physical therapy for them. It’s kind of just a perfect environment and after that we kind of figured out we could bring in humans to join in on the elephants’ daily routine, primarily just observational – walking with them through the jungle, feeding them a few bananas from time to time."
In early 2018 World Animal Protection funded the building of a daytime socialization area, and night time enclosure. Pictured: Michael Vogler (co-owner) with Mae Kham (left) and Mae Tu (right). Photo courtesy of Nick Axelrod.
While the elephants will still interact with tourists who come in small groups to observe them, Vogler ensures that he gives the elephants "the rest and peace they deserve and allow a limited number of guests to come out in an ethical and careful way to interact with them."
Freed from chains We are also funding a daytime socialization area and night-time enclosure for Mandalao's elephants, so they can be free to interact without being constrained by the chains that they have been tied to for most of their lives.
Just this small change, made a huge difference in the lives of these animals. "I'd never seen the mahouts or the elephants so happy and relaxed - ears flapping, tails swinging, just walking around and socializing," says Vogler. The majority of the land is comprised of dense trees and vegetation, containing crops that cater to the needs of elephants. We look forward to seeing how the sanctuary continues to grow, and how Vogler's plans to branch out and help the remaining elephants that reside in Laos come to fruition.
At night, the elephants are also free to socialize, walk around and relax, completely unchained.
www.worldanimalprotection.ca/news/mandalao-elephant-conservation-paradise-rescued-elephants
