When we first started planning our time in Thailand, visiting an elephant sanctuary was on the top of the list. We wanted to ensure that we visited a sanctuary that cares for the elephants, does good by them, and protects them from the growing tourism industry. We weren’t looking ride or bath the elephants, we simply wanted to see them in a more natural state. When we found Samui Elephant Haven, we more than got what we wanted.

Surat Thani, THAILAND –  In the wild, elephants don’t balance on stools, perform headstands or play football. They live together, in family herds. But in the elephant riding tourism industry, baby elephants’ lives begin by being ripped away from their mothers. They live out their next 3-9 days of life in a cage where standing is scarcely achievable. In this time, they are starved, sleep-deprived and beaten with bullhooks until they subdue to their abusers.

Baby boy elephant Haven Moonlight was born under the last full moon of the decade on Friday 13th December 2019. Even before he arrived at the Haven, the little elephant had quite a journey.