Ollies and Eles (Post 2)

Ok, let’s play a little game. What is huge, has hardly any hair, and acted as my bathing companion?

Thats Right, it’s Ollie Froy!

And also an elephant.

Unfortunately, the Asian Elephant is facing uncertain times. It is estimated to have a population of fewer than 50,000 (less than half the number of people in Exeter) with Sri Lanka holding one of the few stable populations. Laos, with a rapidly dwindling population of about 2,000 is considered to be one of the last homes of the Asian Elephant. Considering these harrowing facts, it was an absolute privilege to be able to spend a morning with a herd of the elephants in the forest around Luang Prabang.

Before I confuse you, I did not bathe with wild elephants! The Elephant Centre accommodated a herd of former work-elephants, who have no place to go. Domesticated from years of heavy labour, these elephants would have been poached quicker than I poach eggs had they been released to the wild to fend for themselves. As a result, these elephants were taken into the care of conservationists who allow them to live a semi-wild lifestyle, without the dangers that wild elephants face. With plenty of things to do, and plenty of people to meet and play with, these elephants had a highly enriched life that they all evidently seemed to enjoy.

Ollie and I were joined by an Italian family, and being the most hardened (in looks at any rate), we were given the unenviable task of trekking on the back of the herds young bull elephant. The sprightly chap was very excited to meet us, and even more keen to win the race that we had apparently been entered into. Without even indicating, he proceeded to round the elephants that were ahead of us, letting out grunts of what I assumed was pomp and arrogance and occasionally even blowing his own trumpet. (gettit? :D)

After spending time with the Elephants, it dawned on me that each of them had a totally unique character. There was of course the rebellious adolescent that myself and Ollie were riding. However, there was also the majestic matriarch of the group, who seemed to greet each human being that she came across with polite contempt, an almost royal demeanour about her. Then there was sloth of the group, who seemed to enjoy nothing better then resting her head on anything she could find, twitching her trunk to indicate her interest in the bananas that one waved in her direction.

“Hey Jonah, Why are elephants big, grey and wrinkly?”

“I dunno Jed. Why are elephants big, grey and wrinkly?”

“Cos if they were small, white and smooth they would be an aspirin, gettit?”

“That’s not even funny Jed.”

Endearingly, each of the mahouts knew each of these elephants by name, and acted like proud parents showing off their children to us. They made their jobs look easy- that is until I found myself clinging to a thirsty elephant with only my knees.

My testosterone-fuelled leviathan, desperate to win the second elephant raleigh of the day, bolted towards the water like an American President towards an impoverished but well-oiled nation. My elephant clearly did not appreciate becoming the steed to a patriotic Brit: not only did he ignore the mastodon queue that civilly decorated the path ahead of us, he also undertook them. Without indicating. I managed to quell the empire-yearning fury that made me want to rapturously belt out ‘Rule Britannia’ in retaliation at such impudence, as it dawned on me that I was as helpless as a marshmallow in the hands of a particularly sweet-toothed toddler. Bull Elephants can weigh upwards of five tons. I have recently cracked 9 stone. It dawned on me that, should I employ my entire strength to try and persuade my elephant to obey me, it would probably amount to little much more then a rigorous tickle. Apart from the elephant wouldn’t embarrass itself by rolling on the ground and squealing like guinea-pig that has just enjoyed it’s first red bull binge. I will admit now that I was momentarily scared.

And yet, in this brief moment of overwhelming terror, I caught a glimpse of the wonderful character of Elephants. Blessed with sheer power and an IQ higher than, well, higher than yours probably, these benevolent behemoths chose to live peacefully with people. Instead of competing with people, they chose to enjoy our company. Whilst I was enjoying my time with the elephants, I genuinely believe they were enjoying their time with us. Oh, that human beings could take a leaf out of their book! This was the idyllic epiphany that warmed by heart as my elephant plunged me into the the faeces-ridden cholera-country that we were to bathe in…

“Where does Ollie feature in this story?” I hear you ask. Ollie had to wait whilst they found a bigger elephant.

An Olliefont astride an elephant