Six lives. Six journeys from work to freedom — told with dignity, not spectacle.
Born c. 1960
Decades in logging, then tourist rides when her body began to fail — Boon-Song has carried more weight than most of us will in a lifetime. These days she moves slowly, eyes half-closed in the shade, finally allowed to live on her own terms. Mud, quiet, and bananas are her small rebellions.
Born c. 1963
Years of trekking stripped her strength and tusks but not her dignity. She ambles through the forest without hurry, joints stiff yet spirit calm. Guides call her the grandmother — the kind who teaches you patience simply by existing.
Born c. 1979
Tourist camps left their signature on her back. In sanctuary life she’s found a quieter rhythm — forest paths, cool water, long pauses. When she splashes, it feels like a page turning.
Born 1987
Logging, riding, rubberwood hauling — a hard itinerary. Small eyes, slight tremble, scars on her head tell the backstory. Since her rescue in September 2024 she’s learning what safety feels like: shade, space, and no demands.
Born c. 1981
Circus years meant repetition and joint pain. She arrived wary of people and elephants alike. Now she chooses friendship on her own terms — no spotlights, just grass and good company.
Born 1992
From Phatthalung to logging to commercial rides — the work was relentless. Rescued in September 2024, she’s cautious but curious. A scar on her hind leg remembers the chains; her long tusks catch the light as she steps back into her own life.
