Come with me to hear about all that I learned during my time working at an elephant sanctuary in Northern Thailand.
The Asian elephant is grey with big ears, a long trunk, small eyes and very strong legs. Adult females can weigh about 5,500 to 7,700 pounds and adult males can be as heavy as 7,700 to 11,000 pounds. Asian elephants are different from African elephants. In fact, contrary to popular belief, Asian elephants do not grow long tusks that you often see in iconography or how they are shown in art and media. Males do not have tusks due to genetic changes over the decades and females usually have a small, hidden tusk or two.
The last time I was in Thailand, I was able to volunteer with my friend Tina at an Elephant sanctuary in Northern Thailand. Elephant sanctuaries help endangered or hurt elephants live in an environment where they are protected.
Elephants are huge! I worked with seven different elephants who were differing heights up to 11.5 feet. That’s taller than an NBA basketball hoop! I felt so small next to them. Even though they are so tall and heavy, they are docile (shy and gentle) so I always felt safe. They also love food and eat up to 450 pounds daily of grass, bamboo and tree parts.
