ELEPHANT RESCUE

Anantara Hotel, Resorts & Spas seeks to dramatically better the lives of Bangkok’s city elephants

Because of their popularity with tourists who eagerly part with their Thai baht in exchange for a photo or a pat, elephants can frequently be found walking the congested streets of Bangkok. These magnificent elephants’ lives are literally at risk day in and day out.

William E. Heinecke wants to see elephants permanently retired from the streets and re-homed in sanctuaries where they can lead happy and healthy lives. Anantara Resorts has raised over US$1.5 million for charity as part of their annual King’s Cup Elephant Polo Tournament, which took place in March earlier this year.

Elephant polo may seem anathema to improving the welfare of elephants but actually the elephants are cared for “as well as our two-legged guests.” Elephants play only a half-hour per day and even then there is at least one break.

The participating elephants are all ex-street, subsequently unemployed, elephants that receive medical care from the Zoological Parks Organisation of Thailand, under the patronage of His Majesty the King of Thailand and the Department of Livestock Development.

Elephant polo is unique from horse polo in that each elephant also includes the mahout, riding shotgun. This means that the polo player must communicate with the mahout who, in turn, must communicate with the elephant.

Funds raised through the annual event are distributed to several charities including those that provide mahouts and their families with housing, housing for the elephants, and medical supplies for the Thai Elephant Conversation Centre (TECC).

In addition to the elephant polo itself, the event has become a prime social event for many in Thailand as well as foreigners. For more information or to make a contribution to the charity, visit anantaraelephantpolo.com