When Chaba, a young elephant calf, stepped into a small plastic tub brimming with clean water for the very first time, she was visibly thrilled — it was a completely new experience for her.
Little Elephant Delights in Her Miniature Pool
Chaba was born in a cramped concrete enclosure at an elephant tourism camp in Chiang Mai, Thailand. Her mother, BunMa, had been subjected to performing unnatural acts like riding bicycles, painting, and doing circus routines to amuse visitors.
That same future awaited Chaba — until Save Elephant Foundation intervened just in time.
“We discovered the pair confined to a stark, concrete space. The mother was shackled with a short chain, and there was nothing to stimulate or comfort them. It was clear both were in distress and required immediate help,” said a representative from the rescue team.
In August, the founder of Save Elephant Foundation successfully secured their freedom. The initial plan was to move the elephants to Elephant Nature Park (ENP) by truck, but BunMa panicked at the thought of being separated from her baby and refused to board.
Following a joyful moment of devouring her welcome cake, Chaba was introduced to her first bath — and the sheer happiness on her face, at only four months old, touched everyone who witnessed it.
