Megon Morris, '04
Business Management Major

I have decided that the cutest animals in the world without any doubt are baby elephants! Today we were able to go to the elephant-training camp. Upon arrival we found that the elephants start their day in the same way we do, (hopefully) a nice long shower/bath. For about 15 minutes, we were able to watch the elephants get scrubbed down by their trainers, and watch the babies engage in a morning play session of splashing around in the river while climbing and sitting on each other. Following the morning baths it was time for their big show. We followed the processional of excited families and other tour groups from the bridges and river banks of the camp over to the outdoor stadium. The show included relay races, some shots on goal complete with a goalie who only let two strategically placed shots pass by and some dancing around the stadium while playing the harmonica they were holding with their trunks. If that doesn’t seem amazing enough, they then preceded to bring out painting tools. We were expecting to see some paintings that looked like a 5-year-old was the artist, random strokes with multiple colors that ended up running together and making an ugly brown. What we witnessed was not random painting. As the elephants began to paint they started to draw nice smooth lines that connected at the bottom. At first I thought it was a coincidence, but soon found that it was not. These elephants, some old some young were first drew five stems, then switched colors and painted five different flowers on top of the stems, and then finally blades of grass at the bottom of the stems. (I really wonder how long it took to teach them.) After the show was over, we headed out on a one hour elephant ride up and down the hillsides through beautiful lush green foliage and trees, through the river and then back to camp where they happily ate the bananas and sugar cane that we offered them for a job well done.

Besides being such an entertaining and enjoyable experience, it was also interesting to see how the use of elephants in Thailand has changed. Originally elephants were used for transportation and in farming to help clear land by pulling out roots and moving the large teak trees. With the drastic deforestation and popularity of the car in the growing cities, elephants are no longer needed or able to be used in the city limits. The Thai people have realized the increasing tourism market and have adapted their customs so that they can continue to provide for their families. They are now able to bring in income by meeting providing tourists with this unique and personal experience that everyone searches for when on vacation. It was interesting to see how they tweaked their product to meet the needs of their customer to insure their existence much like a business would.

Here are some useful trivia facts thanks to my friend Rick:

• Elephants have a 24 month gestation period
• They are the only mammal to have 4 knees
• They are the only mammal that cannot jump

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