Kaew Ta
Age: 58 years old
Gender: Female
Breed: Asian Elephant
Sanctuary: Samui Elephant Sanctuary (SES)
Location: Koh Samui, Thailand
Kaew Ta was born in 1963 in Surin Province in the northeast of Thailand. Her early life was spent labouring in the logging industry under grueling conditions . In 1989, the logging ban was implemented in Thailand and elephant owners looked for an alternative source of income. It was at this point that Kaew Ta was moved by her owner to service tourists with rides at a trekking camp.
Approximately 20 years ago, Kaew Ta was moved to Koh Samui where her life of drudgery continued; chained to a tree until a guest arrived to ride her round the same route each time.
Kaew Ta is blind in her left eye as a result of failing to follow a command given by her mahout. He brutally punished her by striking her directly in the eye with a sharp object.
As a result of not receiving adequate food, Kaew Ta arrived at Samui Elephant Sanctuary on 13th June, 2018 extremely malnourished and exhausted. She suffers from inflammatory bowel disease & chronic kidney problems and requires daily care.
Despite all the abuse and adversity she has faced in her life before coming to the sanctuary, she is extremely friendly and really loves her caretaker Dam. She loves to play in the pool and the mud pit, basic rights that have been denied to her for decades. Welcome to your new life Kaew Ta!