![Steve and team]()
Steve and team
The Elephant Valley Project is home to seven incredible elephants, each with their own personality, story, and spirit — and you are a vital part of their journey. Because of your generosity, these gentle giants receive the care, respect, and freedom they deserve. Whether you’ve sponsored an elephant monthly or made a one-time donation, your support means everything. You help us provide medical treatment, nutritious food, and the space for our elephants to roam freely in their natural forest home. We truly couldn’t do this without you — thank you for standing with us and making a real difference in their lives.
Right now, the shift in seasons is becoming very noticeable. We are well into the dry season, and the effects are visible across the landscape. Rivers and smaller streams are beginning to recede, and the land is cracking and dusty underfoot. Local farms are being cleared and prepped for the approaching rainy season, a process that often involves extensive slash-and-burn practices. This time of year always comes with challenges, not just for local communities but also for the wildlife that shares the land.
In response to these seasonal changes, we’ve had to move our elephants deeper into the forest. This relocation ensures that they continue to have access to clean water sources and a steady supply of food, as the drier areas become sparse and less reliable. The forest still holds plenty of lush vegetation and hidden water holes that offer the elephants relief from the dry heat and allow them to maintain their natural foraging habits.
Our team, along with the mahouts, works tirelessly to monitor the elephants’ well-being during these transitions, ensuring they are comfortable, healthy, and thriving even in more remote areas. It’s a critical time of year that reminds us just how essential your support is, especially as resources grow scarcer and the elephants require more attentive care, boost feeding and various dry season aliments like scratches from bamboo.
We’re thrilled to share that in Feb/Mar, we had the pleasure of welcoming back renowned elephant foot care specialist Steve Koyle. His return was a much-anticipated event, and it was heartwarming to see both the elephants and our team reconnect with him. Steve picked up right where he left off several years ago, and it was nothing short of amazing to witness how well the elephants remembered him and the training sessions they had done together in the past.
During his visit, Steve focused not only on continuing individual training sessions with some of our elephants but also dedicated time to training and empowering our local staff. He provided in-depth guidance on target training and techniques to gently desensitize the elephants’ feet—a crucial step in making routine foot care and check-ups more comfortable and stress-free for everyone involved. His approach, always grounded in kindness and patience, left a strong impression on our team and will no doubt have a lasting impact on our care routines. Steve’s visit reminded us how powerful consistent, compassionate care can be, not just for physical healing but for building lasting trust between elephants and humans. We're deeply grateful for his time, knowledge, and continued dedication to improving the lives of these incredible animals. And with his guidance, our team is better equipped than ever to carry on this essential work, ensuring elephants like Pearl continue to receive the highest quality care, every single day.
Thanks to your kindness and generosity, we are able to continue protecting these majestic animals, adapting to the changing environment, and giving them the dignified life they deserve. You are part of a movement that is making a tangible difference in the lives of these elephants and the forest they call home.
Gee Pael (Pearl)
One of the elephants who benefited most from Steve’s visit was our sweet Pearl. He dedicated a lot of time to treating her ongoing foot issues and helping us manage her previous leg injury. Thanks to his expert care and the continued efforts of our team, we’ve seen a significant improvement in her condition. The swelling has gone down, her mobility is better, and her leg injury is now almost completely healed.
Pearl still receives her daily treatments, but she’s become incredibly cooperative, calmly participating in her care with the gentle patience of someone who knows she’s in good hands.She then spends the rest of her day grazing and taking a well deserved a mud bath, which she has mastered the art of creating the perfect mud-to-water ratio. She knows exactly how to mix and stomp until the consistency is just right, and it's clear that she takes great pride in her little spa rituals.
Nung Bra (Ruby)
Ruby continues to show remarkable strength and adaptability, despite the health challenges she’s facing. Each day, she receives special medication for her eyes, which helps keep them clean, moist, and most importantly, free from pressure and discomfort of the glaucoma she was diagnosed with last year. This daily care is essential for her overall well-being, and thanks to the dedication of her mahouts, Ruby is responding well to the treatment. Her eyes may not function like they used to, but she’s adapted to her situation with impressive ease. She navigates the forest with surprising confidence, using her trunk, ears, and memory to find her way along familiar paths, locate food, and stay connected to the world around her.
Recently, we’ve started to see early signs of age-related dental decline, which is something we monitor very closely. Her food fibers are appearing longer than usual in her dung, a subtle yet important indicator that her ability to grind and process her food is starting to decrease. Unfortunately, she also experienced her first episode of digestive trouble due to this, where her stool became too dry and compacted, causing a blockage. Thankfully, with prompt intervention from the team and a few days of extensive care, medicine, enemas and the whole team slept with her in the forest. She has now recovered and is doing well again.
To prevent further issues, Ruby is now receiving additional supplements and dietary adjustments. These include moisture-rich fruits, fiber balancers, and digestive aids to help keep her stools smooth and prevent future blockages. Her mahouts are incredibly attentive, checking her dung daily and closely observing any changes in her behavior or energy levels. Their commitment to her care ensures that nothing goes unnoticed and that Ruby gets everything she needs to stay healthy and comfortable.
Ruby and Pearl have also been spending more time together lately, which is heartening to see. While their bond isn’t especially strong just yet, there are signs that a quiet companionship is developing between them. They often forage in the same area, move at a similar pace, and seem to be comfortable in each other’s presence. It’s not the kind of inseparable friendship we see with some elephant pairs, but it’s a start and a sweet one at that. Over time, as they continue to roam side by side, we hope their relationship will deepen naturally.
Ruby’s story is one of quiet resilience. She may not demand attention, but her strength, grace, and adaptability speak volumes. With the watchful eyes of her mahouts and the continued support of our community, she is in the best possible hands as she moves through this next chapter of her life.
Hen
Hen is doing really well these days, and it’s heartwarming to see him in such good spirits. His facial abscess, which had been a concern for some time, is now almost completely healed thanks to the dedicated and attentive care of his mahouts. They’ve been incredibly consistent with his treatment, administering it with both skill and compassion. Interestingly, Hen has been very cooperative throughout the healing process, he seems to genuinely enjoy the warm compresses he receives every day. The soothing heat likely brings him some relief, and he often stands still and relaxed during the treatment, almost as if he’s at a spa.
One of Hen’s favorite hobbies is pulling up small trees to get to the fresh roots beneath the soil. He seems to really savor the taste, those earthy, crunchy roots must be a real delicacy for him. Watching him use his trunk with such focus and strength is a reminder of how resourceful and resilient he is.
Due to recent sightings of a wild bull in his old valley, the same one that attacked Hen about three years ago, we made the decision to move him to a different, safer location. The safety and comfort of our elephants is always our top priority. Thankfully, Hen didn’t seem fazed by the relocation at all. In fact, he adjusted almost instantly, diving straight into his foraging routine as if nothing had changed. His calm demeanor and ability to stay grounded even in the face of past trauma are truly remarkable.
We're also keeping a close eye on his dislocated hip, an old injury he sustained during that same bull encounter. So far, everything looks very promising. The joint appears stable, and he’s been moving around quite a bit, walking, foraging, and occasionally even playing with tree branches. His level of activity is a strong indicator that he's adapted to the situation with grace and strength. His resilience continues to inspire us every day.
Hen is a living testament to how patience, gentle care, and a peaceful environment can support even the most injured animals in not only surviving but thriving.
Ning Wan
Ning Wan, affectionately known as our grandma, is definitely embracing her golden years with a mix of charm and sass. While she’s becoming a bit more grumpy as she gets older, her bond with her best friend Gee Chreng remains as strong as ever. The two of them are often spotted rumbling softly to each other, gently touching trunks in greeting or comfort, a beautiful display of elephant friendship that always warms our hearts. Despite her occasional grumbles, she clearly finds great joy and companionship in Gee Chreng’s presence, and the two are practically inseparable.
One of Ning Wan’s great loves in life is her daily food supplements. She has become so accustomed to her routine that she now perks up the moment she hears the familiar hum of a motorbike approaching. To her, it’s not just a sound, it’s the sign that her personal “uber eats” delivery has arrived, often carrying her favorite snacks like rice mixed with tamarind, sweet potatoes, pumpkin, and other soft treats that are gentle on her aging teeth.
Speaking of her teeth, they’ve unfortunately deteriorated significantly over the years, which is common in elderly elephants. Because of this, her mahouts pay extra attention to preparing her food. Bananas are peeled, fruits are carefully sliced with the skins removed, and everything is checked to ensure it’s easy to chew and digest. This extra care ensures she’s still able to enjoy a full and nutritious diet without discomfort.
Despite her age, Ning Wan is still surprisingly energetic. In fact, she remains the fastest elephant in our care, a title she proudly holds onto. Her enthusiasm for foraging hasn’t waned in the slightest. She especially enjoys munching on fresh grass and new shoots, although her success rate varies. Without strong teeth, chewing through those tough, fibrous plants can be a bit of a struggle, but that doesn't stop her from trying. It’s all part of her spirited personality, determined, a little stubborn, and always up for a snack.
Watching Ning Wan navigate her elder years with such resilience and personality is a constant reminder of how special she is. She's a true matriarch, full of character and quirks, and we feel incredibly lucky to witness the deep friendships and routines that continue to bring her joy each day.
Gee Chreng
Gee Chreng’s future with us is looking bright and secure, her family renewed her contract for another five years this past December, which means we’ll have the joy of her company until at least 2029. We’re incredibly grateful for the trust her family has placed in us, and even more excited to continue watching her grow, thrive, and deepen her connection with the forest and the herd.
Gee Chreng shares an especially close bond with Ning Wan, our beloved grandma. The two are almost always within trunk’s reach of each other. Gee Chreng, though confident in many ways, often looks to Ning Wan for reassurance and comfort. Whether it’s a gentle rumble, a shared dust bath, or just walking side by side, their companionship is full of tenderness and familiarity. It’s heartwarming to observe how much Gee Chreng values Ning Wan’s presence, they truly seem to understand and support one another in a way only long-time friends can.
Health-wise, Gee Chreng is one of our strongest elephants. She’s in great physical condition and continues to adapt beautifully to the rhythm of life in the forest. Each year, she becomes more in tune with her environment, more confident in her movements, and more curious about her surroundings. Her days are filled with foraging, exploring, and socializing, and it's clear she is thriving both physically and emotionally.
We’ve also been working with her on some gentle behavioral training, which has gone surprisingly well. Our special guest Steve recently started target training with her, a method that helps elephants learn specific movements and behaviors using positive reinforcement. At first, Gee Chreng was unsure and a bit wary of the target pole, but with patience and encouragement, she made impressive progress. She’s now nearly lifting her feet on cue, which is a huge step forward. While she currently doesn’t require any medical treatment, these exercises are incredibly helpful for preparing her for future foot care or health check-ups, should the need arise.
Moving forward, our mahouts will continue to reinforce this training regularly to help her become even more comfortable and confident with it. It’s all part of our ongoing effort to make every health procedure as stress-free as possible and to empower the elephants to participate in their own care.
Gee Chreng continues to impress us with her gentle spirit, intelligence, and resilience. Her bond with Ning Wan, her progress with training, and her ever-growing confidence in the forest are all signs that she’s in exactly the right place, and we’re lucky to be a part of her journey.
Doe & Darling
Doe and Darling are always an absolute delight to watch. Their bond is unmistakable, and they often enjoy going for peaceful strolls through the forest side by side, taking in the sights and sounds of their natural surroundings. Recently, we relocated them to a different valley after a wild bull had been spotted more frequently in their usual area. The new location offers an expansive and lush forest, giving them plenty of space to explore and new scents and textures to investigate.
Both ladies have expressive personalities. They’re not shy about communicating their feelings, especially with their mahout. Whether it’s a disagreement about which path to take or a protest over bananas not arriving fast enough, Doe and Darling make sure their voices are heard, sometimes with a rumble, other times with a firm tug or a well-timed trumpet.
We’ve noticed that Darling seems to be having a bit more difficulty grinding her food lately, which likely indicates that her teeth are wearing down with age. It’s something we’re keeping a close eye on, as dental health is incredibly important for elephants. Despite this, she hasn’t lost her love for daily mud spa sessions. She never misses an opportunity to coat herself in a fresh layer of mud and is quite adamant about reminding her mahout when it’s time for snacks, usually with a gentle nudge or an expectant look.
Doe, on the other hand, has developed a new obsession: vines. She’s been spending a lot of time foraging for them and seems to enjoy the challenge they present. Some of the vines can be tough to pull down, but that only makes it more rewarding for her. It’s a great form of natural exercise too, helping to keep her body engaged and her mind stimulated.
Both Doe and Darling continue to thrive in their new environment, each in their own quirky and charming way, and it’s always a joy to observe how their personalities shine through in the little moments.
Thank you
With this message, we want to extend our deepest and most sincere gratitude to each and every one of you for helping us, help them. Your ongoing support means the world to us, and more importantly, it means the world to the elephants in our care. Whether you’ve chosen to sponsor an elephant, make a one-time donation, or simply spread the word about our work, your contribution is making a real, tangible difference.
We simply could not do what we do without you. Your generosity helps us cover the essential costs of caring for our retired and rescued elephants, everything from daily medicine and dietary supplements, to medical treatments, equipment, and the continuous upkeep of the sanctuary. It allows us to provide our elephants with healthy food, safe shelter, skilled veterinary attention, and above all, the peace and dignity they deserve after lives of hardship.
Our mission has always been clear: to provide a safe haven and a better life for these majestic, intelligent beings. Elephants are deeply emotional, social, and sentient creatures. They form lifelong bonds, mourn loss, express joy, and each one has a unique personality that deserves to be nurtured and protected. Thanks to you, we’re able to meet their individual needs, help them heal, and allow them to just be elephants, roaming, foraging, playing, and resting in a natural, peaceful environment.
Your support reminds us every day that we’re not alone in this mission. It’s because of you that these elephants are not only surviving, but thriving. And while we are here on the ground doing the day-to-day work, it’s your kindness and belief in our vision that keeps the entire project going.
So, from all of us at the Elephant Valley Project, mahouts, caretakers, staff, and most importantly, the elephants thank you!. Thank you for your trust. Thank you for your compassion. And thank you for continuing to walk this journey with us. Together, we are creating a future that honors the lives of these incredible animals and gives them the second chance they so deeply deserve.
![Pearl]()
Pearl
![Ruby]()
Ruby
![Hen]()
Hen
![Ning Wan]()
Ning Wan
![Gee Chreng]()
Gee Chreng
![Doe]()
Doe
![Darling]()
Darling
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