This post was written last Tuesday evening.
Today was our third day in Kochi- We arose early (My body is still somewhere over the Arabian Sea, and so waking at 330 is the norm right now. Michael fared better- I woke him at 5, as we had a 6am take off in a hired car to go to the village of Kotanad and the Elephant Kraal. I inherited a deep love of Elephant, their sense of family, and ritual and strength and this love passed down through the generations in my family.
Michael, with a desire to appease this desire of mine agreed to get up at this ridiculous hour to go and see these mighty beasts.
The website stated that t was a training site and wildlife park. I wasn’t sure what this meant- Anytime I see wildlife park, I think sanctuary and caring for animals and plants.
We arrived early- about 730 and needed to wait for the park to open. While we waited, we had our breakfast in the children’s playground where there were boards all around describing elephants and their physique. Michael and I had found a bakery with croissants and other pastries. We decided quickly that when in India, to stick with Indian delicacies. It did however, fill our stomachs which at that point was important.
Much of the posters were written in English and so I was able to read it. I have not yet mastered the language of Malayam. We were able to walk around and see the elephants as they were just right there. Two babies, 2 months old were together in small “kraals” the first thing I noticed was the fact that all the elephants were chained. It seems that they were chained in such a way that they cannot lie down. I was shocked although I guess I shouldn’t be- As Michael pointed out this was a training centre to train the animals to work in the forest. It was still very sad for us to see this. As well, clearly the babies and mothers have been separated. From what I know, and was written in the posters as well, is that mothers and babies need to stay together for a minimum of 3 years.
We did get to watch a mother and baby being led down to the river to be washed. That was amazing. I have never been so close to elephants before and now I was a few feet away while they were in the water having a lovely scrub down. The baby was so very sweet. The mahouts (caregivers) were scrubbing and the baby would nose him with his trunk looking to grab his hand, or give him a hug. He was really incorrigible. One of the mahouts was grumpy and swatted him away- the other was more forgiving. They then went out in deeper water (the baby using his trunk as a snorkel)and the mahouts’ took a bath as well.
We went home- glad to be in the presence of such mighty animals and a little saddened by how our species in so many ways works at lording over them.
Just beautiful photos… I shared your post on my Facebook page
Have a great day
JP 🙂
Hi! THanks for letting me know! Glad they are going out into the world.
for the lover of elephants, a poem by Mirabai:
The colors of the Dark One have penetrated Mira’s body: all the
others colors washed out.
Making love with the Dark One and eating little, those are my pearls
and my carnelians.
Meditation beads and the forehead streak, those are my scarves and
my rings.
That’s enough feminine wiles for me. My teacher taught me this.
Approve me or disapprove me: I praise the Mountain Energy night
and day.
I take the path that ecstatic human beings have taken for centuries.
I don’t steal money, I don’t hit anyone. What will you charge me with?
I have felt the swaying of the elephant’s shoulders; and now you want
me to climb on a jackass? Try to be serious.
thanks jennie, and michael, for taking me with you on your ecstatic trip.
THank you Melly!! Glad you are enjoying the ride!!