|
The Elephant Camp at
the Anantara Resort Golden Triangle recently welcomed the first ever baby elephant to be born in the
camp. After 22 months of tender loving care, Makam, the Elephant Camp’s 20 year old Asian elephant delivered a female calf.
The latest member of the Anantara family tips the scales at about 90
kilos.
The
camp has been trumpeting the arrival of the baby elephant, who was up and walking just minutes after she was born in darkness of the
early hours, while Mahouts kept watch close by.
As is traditional in Thailand, the baby
elephant, now about 3 months old, has two names, an official one for the ‘birth certificate’ - Pang Nam Khong, and a nick-name for daily use Nong Nam
Fon.
Nam Khong is the Thai name for the Mekong and Nam Fon means rain. It was important that her name reflect her place of birth and her nickname was decided by the Mahouts
because she was born in a storm.
John Robert’s, Director of Elephants
said, “This is the first ever elephant to be born in the camp and it was a completely natural
birth, without any complications. Makam’s simply the best mother we could hope for and it is a joy to watch her nurturing her new
baby.”
Anantara’s 160 acres of bamboo forest, nature trails and river banks provide an ideal habitat for the elephants, all of whom have been
rescued for a life begging on the street of major cities such as Bangkok and
Pattaya.
An
highlight of a guest’s stay at the Anantara Resort Golden Triangle is a visit to the elephant camp. Set within the resort’s lush
bamboo forest, the camp is home to 19 elephants. The animals are cared for by their local Mahouts (drivers) and English-born Director of
Elephants, John Roberts who is also a qualified mahout himself. On an on-going basis, Roberts works closely with the Thai government’s
Elephant Conservation Centre in Lampang (located 600km north of the Thai capital Bangkok) to develop Anantara’s camp as an elephant
sanctuary.
Guests are also offered the rare opportunity to learn to ‘drive’ an elephant by choosing to undertake a unique three-day mahout training
course. As well as learning the mahout commands and some log rolling skills, guests can take their pachyderm charge bathing, partake in
mahout camp life and gain a greater understanding of their three-tonne mount from Roberts.
The
Anantara Resort Golden Triangle is located 60km north of Chiang Rai’s international airport.
See
other recent news regarding:
Airlines,
Aviation,
Hotels,
Anantara,
Chiang
Rai
|
