After Decades of Working in the Logging and Tourism Industries, Blind Elephant Gets the Retirement Life She Deserves (VIDEO)

Each year, millions of tourists flock to Thailand in the hopes of interacting with Asian elephants. Popular tourist encounters include everything from taking selfies with calves to riding on an elephant in the jungle. Tragically, these “entertaining” endeavors often lead tourists to believe that these excursions are normal and somehow acceptable. Most tourists are unaware of the abuse elephants face when in captivity, but considering how endangered Asian elephants are, the facade needs to end now. Between poaching, the tourism industry, and habitat loss, both African and Asian elephants are in danger of becoming extinct within our lifetimes.

Thankfully, there are many organizations working to protect and conserve Asian elephants. Phuket Elephant Sanctuary, located in Southern Thailand, is a non-profit organization that “offer[s] a retirement home for sick, injured, tired, or old elephants who have previously worked hard for tourism entertainment or in the logging industry.” Recently, with the help of Elephant Nature Park, Phuket Elephant Sanctuary made the incredible rescue of a blind elephant named Gaew Ta. She was born in Thailand and worked in the logging industry as a young elephant, later becoming a trekking elephant. In addition to being subjected to grueling and tiresome conditions, Gaew Ta suffered from blindness, making her life even more difficult.

As seen in the above video, she has now been rescued by Phuket Elephant Sanctuary. At first, the rescue team was unsure if Gaew Ta would step into their rescue truck, but the wise elephant must have known she was on her way to freedom because she immediately stepped in. It might have been a long journey for her to get to sanctuary but now she is free to live a life filled with nothing but joy and love.

We can all help elephants avoid the cruel life Gaew Ta experienced by boycotting cruel tourist attractions and encouraging others to as well. Instead of going on an elephant trekking holiday, Support the wonderful efforts of the Phuket Elephant Sanctuary. For simple ways you can get involved in helping captive elephants, click here.