You Would Never Guess What This Woman Does To Soothe This Elephant!

 One of the most inspiring relationships that you will get to see is one that an animal and its caretaker shares. The love and bond that an animal lover shares with animals are something that is truly praiseworthy. So this animal caretaker right here decided to try new and exciting ways to keep her animals happy. So what was this new method that she thought of? She would swipe the elephant’s backside gently with a cloth, relaxing and calming the giant one.

Thailand

So where exactly do this amazing animal caretaker and her lovely elephant stay? These two actually reside in Chiang Mai, Thailand. This is actually an Elephant Nature Park and has been designed to preserve, protect and take care of elephants in need. This facility has been standing for over 20 years, offering a safe haven and a place of comfort for these elephants that have been rescued from difficult and bad situations. The sanctuary also has visitors to come and see these majestic elephants.

Co-Founder

So what is the history of this elephant sanctuary that is home to several elephants that have been saved from hardships? Well, this park had been established all the way back in 1996. The co-founder’s name is Lek Chailert. Ever since it has been opened, the sanctuary is home to about 200 elephants whom the staff has taken good care of. These elephants that have been taken in this place have come from a place of emotional trauma and abuse.

Safe Space

This sanctuary does not discriminate or judge these elephants no matter how bad their origin may be. They take in all these elephants so that they can live a life free of abuse or harm. One of the most important goals of this place is to give them a home that is danger free. “We have to heal them with love,” Chailert had said when asked by interviewers about their approach with these elephants. She also stated that they try to instill a sense of trust among the people working there and the elephants.

Trust

“We have to let nature rehab them… make them feel that this is a safe place for them,” Chailert expressed when she spoke to the interviewers. “Trust is the first thing that we have to go and do,” she further added. This is the main focus of the sanctuary when it comes to their steps in trying to improve and rehabilitate these emotionally distraught elephants. They want to make sure that they do not dwell on their bad past but instead focus on the blessings that can come with living in the future.

Free-Born Elephant

So what does this sanctuary aim to achiever and what exactly is the main purpose of being established? Chailert had revealed that one of her main goals with working for the sanctuary is to breed as many elephants that they possibly can to create a population that does not have the knowledge of cruelty and captivity like their parents. Her goals finally became fruitful when Faa Mai, their first free-born elephant got delivered in the year 2009. It was truly a happy moment for them.

No Suffering

“She is our first-born free, [she] never suffered in a training crush. She is the most happy elephant,” the sanctuary wrote when the new baby elephant was born. They could not contain their excitement and added the caption that further read, “We are so happy to see our beautiful little girl growing up amongst love and freedom.” They made sure the elephant was raised in a positive environment. Faa Mai was born into a world where she was loved and cared for, unlike her poor parents. She was very affectionate with people.

Close Bond

Faa Mai was born into a place where there was no violence or abuse committed on elephants by humans, so it was not hard for her to warm up to the people working there. She was able to connect with the staff and Chailert especially. She did not have any memory of cruelty from humans so she was very trusting and happy to play with the humans on the sanctuary. She was exceptionally close to Chailert and the pair soon became inseparable. They were always together if she was in the sanctuary.

Very Close

If you want to see if this friendship is the real deal, then there are any videos of these two playing around and being silly. The sanctuary has released a few clips of these two in action, proving just how bonded they are. There is one footage where Fai Mai pulls Chailert closer to her using her trunk. Fai Mai then ends up giving a very big kiss to her loving caretaker. This was her way of letting her know that she appreciates Chailert for her efforts in keeping her healthy and happy. 

Nap Time Routine

There is another sweet ritual that this duo does that will surely make you feel warm in your heart. There is a special way that Chailert puts Fai Mai down for a nap which really does prove the duo’s undying love for each other. Ever since Fai Mai was still a baby, Chailert has done this to make the elephant fall asleep. She had always used this technique to soothe elephant to sleep till now and Faa Mai does not expect anything else when the time comes for her to take her daily naps.

Singing

There was one video uploaded on YouTube that has showcased the special routine that Faa Mai and Chailert follow during nap time. So what really happens when it is time to hit the sack? Well when Faa Mai gets ready to start sleeping,  Chailert would take out a scarf and would hum lullabies in the elephant’s ear to calm her down. She would try to sing the sweet elephant to sleep and be as comforting as she possibly can. However, there is another uncommon thing they like to do…

Loving Nudge

Well, the image above would make it all the more confusing. What does Chailert do to the elephant? Chailert would continue her lullabies, singing softly in Faa Mai’s ears, then she would take her scarf, using it to swat the backside of Faa Mai. To most people, this would be an alarming sight, but it is not an act of cruelty at all. Fai Mai actually loves the feeling of being tapped by the scarf and even helps her to sleep better. Such a strange way of trying to get someone to fall asleep isn’t it?

Kneeling Down

Then the elephant starts to feel sleepier with each swat. Chailert would continually swat on Fai Mai while still humming and then it would eventually lead to the elephant slowly resting on her hind legs. In the end, Fai Mai would slowly lie down on her side and then Chailert would move closer and closer to Faa Mai’s ears singing and calming him all the more. The video shows just how much the elephant enjoys this ritual and she seems to be on cloud nine whenever her caretaker does this.

Falling Asleep

So then Chailert places herself right next to the elephant while still continuing to tap her behind and sing her tunes on the elephant’s ear. She tries her best not to make sudden movements as it would automatically alarm her dear elephant. The longer she does this, the closer the elephant is on dozing off. The elephant would eventually give out loud snores and sounds when she falls asleep. The only sound that comes out, in the end, is Faa Mai’s very loud snores.

Viral Sensation

Who can say they have seen an elephant being sung and cradled to sleep by a human being? This is truly one of the most uncommon incidents to ever happen in history because not a lot of people can say they actually sing elephants to sleep. When the footage was released, it quickly went viral and everyone wanted to know more about this incredible pair of friends. Many found it fascinating that the caretaker has found such an unconventional way of getting an elephant to fall asleep. 6 million people have seen the video on YouTube.

Touching Moment

“This is so touching,” said one person who commented on the now viral video of Faa Mai and her sweet elephant. “The voice is so soothing, and the brushing of the cloth must feel so good to the dear beast. I wonder if it reminds the elephant of mom’s ears, perhaps? Elephants are great souls.” We all know that elephants are by nature very calm and collected animals who do not really pose threats to other living beings around them. But Faa Mai’s friendliness is next level!

Study

But then the method that Chailert had used might not be so absurd after all. In fact, it has been discovered that the elephant’s reaction to her soothing is quite normal. There was a study conducted on animals which revealed that classical music can actually help calm and soothe animals that have been kept in captivity by humans. The researchers also found that there was a difference in the patterns of behavior of different kinds of elephants. 

Sensitive Animals

“Elephants are incredibly sensitive beasts,” says David Field. He is an accomplished zoological director of London Zoo who spoke to the press on this topic. He had done some extensive research on this topic and his observations are more than surprising. He does not find it all that shocking himself when the results of his studies came out because he is aware that there are many animals that are super sensitive and observant. Elephants happen to be one of the most hyper-sensitive animals in the world.

Appreciation

“Their appreciation of noise communication is far beyond our hearing range,” Field further stated when he addressed this topic to the interviewers. He also added a few insights in relation to his study and revealed some facts about elephants saying, “They communicate in deep infrasonic vibrations. So it wouldn’t surprise me at all if [classical music] has this calming effect.” He had found that elephants are very loyal and perceptive so he does not question their sensitivity one bit.

Elephant Whisperer

Even after all these reports have been published, there are still so many people who believe that there is something special about Chailert. They are convinced that she had a certain way, a touch with elephants that other humans do not possess. She had even been dubbed “elephant whisperer” by many who believe that she had a way with them, that she and elephants can communicate. Chailert, however, claims that she just treats elephants with respect and care and nothing more or less.

Family

“I never think, ‘Elephant is an animal.’ I think they are a person. So that is why, when I talk to them, I treat them like my family,” Chailert has revealed when she was asked about her relationship with elephants. She went ahead and even said, “We understand even if we speak a different language. But we understand each other.” She feels that there is no need for a language of any sort as long as they can understand each other. A very deep thought from a very special person.