Pang Tong
Pang Tong (Mrs. Gold in Thai) was the mother of BLES’ namesake, Boon Lott, and the matriarch of the BLES family.
Her life before BLES was filled with abuse and distress. When BLES Founder Katherine and her late husband Anon, met her owner, he proudly shared his personal story of beating, starving, and working her under dangerous conditions. He was oblivious to Pang Tong’s first pregnancy until he found the dead calf’s body beside her. The calf may have been stillborn due to Pang Tong’s highly distressed state or her isolation from other elephants. Lacking guidance provided by female elders, she may have panicked and killed the baby out of fear.
When Pang Tong fell pregnant a second time, the owner was again unaware of Pang Tong’s condition until a serious logging accident induced a premature labour. The tiny male calf and his mother were transported to the elephant hospital where the staff agreed that he would not survive more than a few days. The calf did survive and was named Boon Lott (survivor in Thai) — the courageous calf that inspired the founding of BLES.
After the untimely death of Boon Lott, Pang Tong was returned to her life as an overworked, under fed, logging elephant. Word eventually reached Katherine that Pang Tong’s owner hoped to sell her for use as a Bangkok street beggar. Katherine began desperately raising funds and enlisted the help of The Elephants Umbrella Fund and The Elephant Foundation; two organizations dedicated to helping elephants in distress. Thankfully, the funds were quick to arrive and Pang Tong was transported to the safety of BLES.
Upon her arrival, Pang Tong was agitated and aggressive, displaying defiant expressions and body language. In less than a month, under Anon’s care, she became calm, amiable, and surprisingly affectionate.
No one thought Pang Tong would ever learn to trust humans again after the cruelty she had suffered. Anon’s patience and understanding, introduced Pang Tong to a new found freedom and she knew she was resolutely safe in his care at BLES.
Pang Tong was a central part in our BLES family and thrived in her role as our matriarch. She protectively cared for every new rescue and all of the elephants, including the bulls, gravitated towards her.
Pang Tong was a founding member of BLES and without her, the sanctuary would never have come to fruition. She is desperately missed by her human and elephant family alike, but we know that her spirit lives on.
