It was about 3pm in the afternoon. Lucky us, we met the ranger at the Park HQ who was about to lead a small convoy to watch wild elephants.
Our guide, Khun Somchai
This was an exciting time for me, may be with some anxiety. Seen many tame elephants at theme parks and Bangkok streets. Encounter with an wild elephant? My first experience!
He led us to another part of the park about 20km away.
The check point en route to the observation area.
We learned there are 168 elephants & more than 15 tigers in the wild here.
The waterhole is walking distance away and animals would come for a drink or a bath.
As we arrived, a group was watching a black bear perched on a tree top. Without the ranger's guidance, it would be hard to spot them!
We drove along dirt tracks with the ranger in radio contact with others elsewhere looking out for the elephants. After an hour, sometimes hap hazard about turns to rendezvous with other groups, we came back to the water hole where a male elephant was feeding.
If you are unprepared with binoculars, you may rent one from the park HQ.
A privilege few had vantage point.
Keeping a safe distance, we all watch in silence with respect to the animal.
Catching a last glimpse before departing.
I did wondered about personal safety as we wondered around in the wild. But I placed trust with the rangers escorting us. We also hear about their close encounters at times. The huts at the observation center were manned by rangers. They are armed in event of animal attacks during the night which did occurred in the past.
