BE THE CHANGE WE WANT TO SEE FOR THE CAPTIVE ELEPHANTS OF THAILAND
Today is World Elephant Day - a day to celebrate!!
(and we have a HUGE announcement to make!!)
There are estimated to be 2000-4000 captive elephants living in Thailand today. The majority of these elephants work in tourism, performing in circus-type shows, giving rides, and being forced to pose for photos with uninformed tourists…. Most of these elephants do not have access to a natural or healthy diet. Many of these elephants spend their days chained to the ground, standing in rancid puddles of their own urine, surrounded by piles of old dung and mountains of rotting trash. Some of these elephants have nothing but sky-high hotels and shopping plazas surrounding them. Many of these elephants stereotype, limp, pace, and display aggressive behaviour, and I think it is about time more people start asking two pivotal questions: WHY? and What can I do to help?
As a traveler to Thailand, where you spend your money matters and really does make a difference. On this day, #worldelephantday, PLEASE think twice about using elephants for your personal pleasure and put their needs before yours. These elephants are forced to endure a lifetime of persecution - is your five minutes of fun or your selfie opportunity really worth it? Would you still entertain these activities if you knew the barbarism that goes on behind closed doors to condition these elephants purely for you? I hope not.
BLES has been striving forward in our mission to provide true sanctuary for all animals since our inception 17 years ago. Here at BLES, our elephants live peacefully and freely, thriving in our care. We have an expert team of mahouts who share a combined passion, wealth of knowledge, hands-on experience, and deep understanding of humane elephant management.
There is no greater joy than watching our rescued elephants wander through the forest, snapping off branches and stopping only to have a good scratch on a tree before they soak their feet in the stream and spend hours throwing thick, wet mud all over their bodies. Our elephants do not have a care in the world, and this is how we wish all captive elephants could live. By working together, sharing knowledge, raising awareness, and leading by example – I believe all captive elephants CAN live like this…
BLES is thrilled to announce that we will be welcoming a new elephant into our sanctuary very soon!
Let me tell you a story about a 50-year-old bull, currently chained up in the north of Thailand.
His name is Kanoon (Thai for jackfruit), and his frail frame is riddled with the shocking horrors of captivity. Kanoon is blind in one eye. He has a stiff front leg, which he cannot bend, causing him to bear his weight unevenly, and this has resulted in all of his nails splaying out, cracking, and causing him immense pain. Every inch of his emaciated body carries the scars that tell his heartbreaking story… I could go on about how tragic his life is, but I won’t!
It is time to change the narrative.
BLES is so excited to have joined forces with a new organization called Unchained Elephants to help liberate Kanoon and free him from his shackles. Unchained Elephants is an NFT project that seeks to raise awareness among travellers about the mistreatment of elephants in the tourism industry and to support sanctuaries in transitioning towards more ethical practices for these majestic animals. The NFTs/tokens serve as badges of honor for aiding elephants in Thailand, unlocking a brighter future for these magnificent creatures, and fostering positive change for both animal welfare and NFT enthusiasts.
Elephants Unchained have been campaigning for Kanoon’s freedom for the past two months and have almost hit their fundraising goal! There is only $2,700 left to raise!
Once the total amount has been secured, Elephants Unchained will be donating Kanoon to BLES!
Make this World Elephant Day count and be the change we all want to see for the captive elephants of Thailand. Donate to Kanoon’s cause - https://www.unchainedelephants.com/xrp-nft-project-with-a-cause
BLES has the BEST support base, and we are calling on you to help Unchained Elephants raise the final amount needed to finally free Kanoon. Unchained Elephants have promised to put 100% of all money donated towards Kanoon’s rescue and ongoing care at BLES.
I know we can do this - we have to do this - we are the only hope this poor, neglected bull has - Join the cause today and be the change we all want to see for the captive elephants of Thailand.