Adorable elephants get the first taste of freedom after 41 years of being captive

Trigger Warning: The following story contains themes of animal cruelty and abuse.

Countless animals are taken from the wild and subjected to abuse and exploitation. Even elephants, despite their size and strength, are not immune to cruelty. In Thailand, tourism and logging industries often rely on elephants, forcing them into cramped enclosures, binding them with chains, and even subjecting them to forced breeding. Mare Noi, or "Little Mother," is one such elephant who endured severe mistreatment for 41 long years.

According to Bored Panda, Mare Noi was used mostly for carrying heavy logs and was forcefully bred. Fortunately, on August 12, 2023, Mare Noi finally got a taste of freedom on World Elephant Day and Mother's Day in Thailand. The Boon Lotts Elephant Sanctuary (BLES) of Sukhothai in Thailand stepped up to rescue Mare Noi and give her a lush new home. At one point a shady breeder wanted to buy Mare Noi but the founder of BLES, Katherine Connor prevented that by taking the elephant under their care. But the transition journey from captivity to the sanctuary wasn't easy for Connor or Mare Noi.

“The biggest challenge was raising the necessary funds in a timely manner. We faced a tight deadline," she told the outlet in an interview. Connor reached out to Aaron Jackson, the founder of Planting Peace to help her. He flew out to Thailand after hearing the tragic story of Mare Noi. Fortunately, they were able to raise enough funds in 24 hours and that helped relocate Mare Noi to BLES. “We create a true sanctuary environment that prioritizes emotional well-being by allowing elephants to live peacefully. Our goal is to help them rediscover their instincts and support their emotional recovery by fostering a sense of safety and community among the herd," Connor shared.

She also mentioned that at BLES, they provide the elephants with a safe and nurturing environment where others like Mare Noi can rediscover their "wild instincts, learn innate behaviors, and live freely.” they prioritize the needs of the elephants and allow them to regain autonomy and adapt to their natural way of living without any form of confinement. Mare Noi was also able to reunite with an old friend of hers at the sanctuary who was previously rescued. Another elephant named Pang Suai used to haul logs with Mare Noi about 20 years ago and they haven't seen each other ever since.

“Mare Noi’s introduction was particularly special because she had a long-lost friend, Pang Suai, waiting for her," Connor explained. "They had worked together in the past and hadn’t seen each other for nearly twenty years. We were initially nervous about their reunion, but on Mare Noi’s second day, Pang Suai approached her and they quickly became inseparable. Overall, Mare Noi adapted to sanctuary life remarkably well, enjoying her new freedom and the company of other elephants.”

It didn't take the elephants long to reunite and bond once again. Connor and the people working with BLES are always on a mission to save and rescue elephants and "promote ethical elephant experience" to visitors. “Mare Noi has thrived and become quite sociable, making friends with many other elephants at the sanctuary. We are committed to supporting her as she continues to build relationships within the herd and further integrate into her new home. We’re proud of her progress and grateful to all who contributed to her rescue,” Connor concluded.