Most newly rescued elephants take weeks to trust their surroundings enough to lie down. Grandma Somboon, who spent more than eight decades working for humans, did it almost at once.
A Lifetime of Work
Somboon is an Asian elephant estimated to be 87 years old. According to Save Elephant Foundation and Elephant Nature Park in Thailand, she was taken from the forest as a young animal, a practice once permitted in Asia, and spent her life working. She hauled timber, performed in shows, begged on the streets and carried tourists on her back, and she was separated from any calves she had.
Elephants are usually not built for such a life. In her final years, she was still giving rides, and by the time rescuers reached her she was in poor shape.
A Rescue in January
In January 2024, Save Elephant Foundation, led by founder Lek Chailert, rescued Somboon and drove her to Elephant Nature Park in northern Thailand. “It’s time for Grandma to be cared for well and allowed to rest,” the foundation wrote online before the journey.
When she arrived, Somboon was thin and weak and had lost teeth, and her skin was in poor condition.
The First Night of Rest
The sanctuary had prepared a large pile of soft sand for her. “Grandma SomBoon defied the norm,” the park wrote. She walked straight to the sand pile and fell into a deep sleep, even with staff and activity all around her.
Sleeping was not without difficulty. After about an hour, she woke and tried to get up but couldn’t, which made her panic. Mahouts and critical care staff quickly helped her to her feet, and veterinarians and mahouts kept watch through the night. The park explained that elderly elephants with weak ankles struggle to stand after lying down, and that Somboon would need daily help rising.
Settling In
A couple of months later, the foundation reported that Somboon could stand and walk steadily, take mud baths at the riverside and eat well. She still needed daily care, and the sanctuary said that with good food and support she might regain enough strength to stand unaided.
She is not unusual at Elephant Nature Park. The sanctuary says more than 70 percent of its elephants are elderly animals who spent their lives in hard labor, and many need help getting up each day.
Visiting Elephants Responsibly
Stories like Somboon’s push many travelers to ask how to see elephants without harming them. A few points to consider:
- Choose ethical sanctuaries. Look for ethical elephant sanctuaries that ban riding, shows and chains.
- Volunteering. Elephant sanctuary volunteer programs and Thailand eco-tours usually have fees, so compare what they include.
- Travel insurance. Travel insurance covering medical care and cancellations is wise for a long-haul trip.
- Booking. Compare Chiang Mai tours, flights to Thailand and hotels early, especially in peak season.
- Support the cause. A donation to an elephant rescue or sponsoring an elephant helps pay for food, medicine and mahouts.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who is Grandma Somboon? An Asian elephant estimated to be 87 years old who spent more than 80 years working in logging, shows, begging and tourist rides.
Who rescued her? Save Elephant Foundation, which took her to Elephant Nature Park in northern Thailand in January 2024.
Why was her first sleep significant? Newly rescued elephants often take weeks to lie down. Somboon lay down almost immediately.
How is she doing now? A couple of months after her rescue, she was walking steadily and enjoying mud baths, though she still needed daily help.
Sources: Elephant Nature Park, iHeartDogs.com, Bored Panda, and NOWnews, all covering the January 2024 rescue of Grandma Somboon, an 87-year-old elephant, by Save Elephant Foundation in Thailand.
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