Our Elephants
Though each elephant has their own story, our mission is the same for all of them – a life of freedom, safety, and dignity in the environment they were always meant to call home.
Our herd is cared for by local Karen families, an indigenous community from Thailand and Myanmar with a deep cultural connection to nature and elephants that spans generations. In fact, elephants have been part of this family since 1859.
In the past, Karen communities relied on elephants to work in logging and camps for income, where the elephants were often overworked, forced to perform in shows and provide rides for tourists, which severely impacted their physical and emotional well-being.
As awareness grew around the harm caused by these practices, many Karen elephant owners began searching for more ethical alternatives. Over a decade ago, the elephants at Elephant Eco Trails were brought back to the jungle, allowing them to live more naturally in their true habitat.
Today, the elephants are free to roam, forage, bathe, and socialise on their own terms – without performances, or forced interactions with tourists. Through ethical, hands-off tourism, we aim to create a better future for elephants while also supporting local communities and protecting the surrounding environment.
Our herd is made up of seven elephants – six females and one male: Mae Boo Jhan, Mae Boon Sri, Mae Yui, Mae Buay, Gili, Luna, and our one bull elephant, Plai Phusuk. Each elephant has their own unique personality and story, which you can discover below.
By visiting Elephant Eco Trails, you are supporting a more compassionate and responsible future for elephants – one where they can live healthier, freer lives in the environment they were always meant to call home.
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Meet
Plai Phusuk
Born around 2008 in Chiang Mai Province, Plai Phusuk spent much of his early life…
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Meet
Mae Boon Jhan
Mae Boo Jhan, born in 1968, is the oldest member of the herd. After years…
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Meet
Mae Buay
Born in 2010, Mae Buay spent her early years in a trekking camp alongside her…
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Meet
Mae Boon Sri
Born in 1982, Mae Boon Sri spent many years in elephant camps across Chiang Mai,…
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Meet
Mae Yui
Born in 1990, Mae Yui is one of the original herd members who transitioned from…