This is a touching moment that this blind elephant will never forget as she was welcomed into her new herd for the first time.
In the video below, Ploy Thong, a rescued elephant, can be seen sending out low vibrations to alert the other elephants that she was nearby.
The trio was quick to react, running over to examine the new arrival and stroking her with their trunks in an affectionate manner.
The moment, captured at Elephant Nature Park, Thailand, would have been a massive relief for Ploy Thong, who had suffered years of discomfort before being rescued by the staff at the Save Elephant Foundation.
Blind in both eyes, Ploy Thong is estimated to be around 30 years old.
She previously carried tourists on her back in Pattaya for 16 years, relying only on her trunk to determine her pathways while they rode.
Before that, Ploy Thong worked in the circus.
Staff from the Save Elephant Foundation discovered Ploy Thong’s difficulties when attempting to set another elephant, Bua Keaw, free. They negotiated a route to freedom with her owner and assisted in her release.
She was then transferred to Elephant Nature Park in Chiang Mai, where her fantastic initial encounter with her new herd occurred.
‘We decided to rescue Ploy Thong because we wanted to give her the chance of life.
The moment, captured at Elephant Nature Park, Thailand, would have been a huge relief for Ploy Thong
She suffered years of discomfort before being rescued by the staff at the Save Elephant Foundation
Blind in both eyes, Ploy Thong the elephant is estimated to be around 30 years old
She was blind in both eyes, and she took tourists around daily. She was saddled early every day and carried riders until the sunset.
‘She sniffed the way using her trunk as the tourist rode on her back,’ said one witness.
‘While on our journey to save Bua Keaw, we observed her working, and we began negotiations with the owner to let her go.
‘Her journey to freedom begins.’
