#gtaef

[zoo-packys]

Here we see a packy from the Golden Triangle Asian Elephant Foundation (GTAEF), & she seems to really admire the camera person in this picture!

Photo found here.

[zoo-packys]

Here is a packy from the Golden Triangle Asian Elephant Foundation in Thailand, as she enjoys some lovely purple flowers on a sunny day. She looks so happy!

Photo found here.

[andymossacktravelwriter]

Three 2 ton Dreamgirls from the Anantara Golden Triangle Elephant Camp and Resort. Thanks for a truly humbling experience in your private jungle! @anantara_goldentriangle #anantara #goldentriangle #gtaef (at Thailand Myanmar Laos Border) https://www.instagram.com/p/Bvi8U_6Fjy5/?utm_source=ig_tumblr_share&igshid=wv0b1bsx86b3

[jessibrookelove-blog]

Yuki and Lanna heading up to the hilltop! #GTAEF #asianelephants #beautifulanimals

[alexputnam]

this is bo. when I asked if she wanted to be my girlfriend she sprayed me with water. classic us. #GTAEF (at GTAEF Helping Elephants)

[alexputnam]

a couple minutes after this video, both of my flip flops fell off. elephant Bo stopped in her tracks, and suctioned them back up to me with her trunk. I don't think it's too premature to say I'm in love with Bo.

[alexputnam]

there are some really, truly good entities in this world. sometimes you have to travel through the jungle to the meeting point of three different countries to find them, and today was such an adventure. the golden triangle is a region in southeast asia of which burma, laos, and thailand are accessible in one fell swoop. the scenery alone was enough for me to get slightly emotional, and people travel far and wide to cruise the mekong, sweat out their thai green chilli curry, and most importantly train the elephants. the golden triangle asian elephant foundation rescues asian elephants from across the region from the streets of busy cities and former logging reserves to give them a better life among the sanctuary of tranquility of northern thailand. while this is remarkable enough, they take it one step further: the 21 elephants each have their personal caretakers, called mahouts, that the GTAEF have relocated up to northern thailand along with their families. essentially, the bond between mahout and elephant is so important and strong that the foundation houses the trainers entire family in the reserve. badass? most definitely. heart-warming? yeah, it was pretty awesome to see this foundation in full effect. the next few posts will be about Bo, and I got to be her mahout for a day with the help of her friend Noi. Bo wandered thailand’s highways and city streets for thirty years before being rescued by the GTAEF. getting to know Bo was absolutely one of the most incredible things I’ve ever done, even though she decided it would be funny to blast me with water from the mekong.