Remembering old skills for the babies and the environment (once a logger, always a logger)
What with the price of oil going one way and the stock markets going the other, the sea level is rising and the dollar's dropping it is time for each of us to think of what we can do to help the global situation so, when visiting the new baby elephant camp project in the old Anantara vegetable farm, I spotted several diminutive work men doing their bit labouring under large logs my first reaction wasn't to go and get the tractor to help them, but to think of my several, already fueled, tractor alternatives.
It is also a well worn truism that the devil finds work for idle trunks and I do have to admit that I was thinking a little of my ladies back in the other camp toying with sugarcane on a quiet day in September - well it turns out that it hasn't been so long since the ladies were illegally logging in Thailand or logging illegally in Burma and though they've put on a few pounds - a little over-fueled if you like - they performed admirably and saved not only fuel and the environment but also the backs of some small construction workers.
We don't have any logging gear but the boys are experts so Boo See gets dressed up in an improvised fashion...
...note, it takes a couple of people to lift these logs...
...but Boo See can pull five (later six) with ease.
Popping them into place with her nose!
After a couple of runs Boun Na took over the pulling duties and Boo See was the arranging and stacking, but sometimes life is just so much easier when you work as a team!
It is also a well worn truism that the devil finds work for idle trunks and I do have to admit that I was thinking a little of my ladies back in the other camp toying with sugarcane on a quiet day in September - well it turns out that it hasn't been so long since the ladies were illegally logging in Thailand or logging illegally in Burma and though they've put on a few pounds - a little over-fueled if you like - they performed admirably and saved not only fuel and the environment but also the backs of some small construction workers.
We don't have any logging gear but the boys are experts so Boo See gets dressed up in an improvised fashion...
...note, it takes a couple of people to lift these logs...
...but Boo See can pull five (later six) with ease.
Popping them into place with her nose!
After a couple of runs Boun Na took over the pulling duties and Boo See was the arranging and stacking, but sometimes life is just so much easier when you work as a team!
Boun Na? Working? Did she not sulk for a week afterwards?
I remember on one of the days we were there, Boun Na – in a temper – sent a large number of logs crashing down from the camp to the pond, causing an upset amongst the other ele’s that could be heard in Laos. Boun Na was then ‘encouraged’ to pull back the logs to the camp. Needless to say, she was not a happy ele having to carry me around in the afternoon session.
Great video, btw.
Reply to this
Great Video- although the ele closest to the camera {Boo See?}seems to be doing most of the work! But where is the beautiful Ewong?.....I thought she would be leading the way with her special skills. Can't wait to see her soon x
Reply to this
...Boun Na, I think, closest to the camera, but K. Ja driving just to confuse.
Yes, I thought Ewong might turn up too & Phu Ki but the mahouts had work to do back in the big camp too so we just got the two fat Galieng ladies!
Reply to this
Can you let us know if there is a problem with the webcam as I have not been able to access it for a couple of weeks (and I'm missing it!!) My mum has been watching it too recently and she cannot get it up either. We are hoping to book a return stay with you in February so we look forward to seeing Jenny, Ewong and the your latest arrival soon. Many thanks Debbie Harper
Reply to this
Dear Debbie
Yes, the old one died in a storm, sorry - for now you have to type http://119.63.65.236 into your browser and log on as a guest - no navigation, sorry, but we're working on it!
Sorry
John
Reply to this
Thanks for that John. I'm hopeful that I might see something in the morning if I get up in time, unfortunately its all a bit dark now! I have missed the camera! I also wanted to let you know that I had recently read through To The Elephant Graveyard, Tarquin Hall, which is one of your recommended books. It was an excellent read, which unfortunately I flew through, and I intend to work my way through the list of the others now!
Take care.
Debbie
Reply to this
It is a good read isn't it!
The webcam is now linked also from http://www.helpingelephants.org and the Ele News page as before and from http://www.anantara.com/elephantcam/default.aspx
Reply to this