First Post! 03/06/2011
 
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Tilly walking to the sanctuary...
Tilly, the newest member of the Elephant Nature Park in Thailand, has arrived safely and pleasantly.  Tee-Lee, the tribal name for river, is a sweet female who had 16 different owners in her lifetime.  She has lived in the north, south, east and west parts of Thailand.  Even after she was handicapped at the hands of one owner, all the succeeding owners still forced her to work.  Her stories are unbelievable.  Her spirit is what carried her through and her gentle patience landed her at her forever home... the sanctuary. 
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The Elephant Rescue Truck
Here is her journey.  After securing Tilly through financial payment to her final owner, and after failed attempts to transport Tilly in style in the brand new Elephant  RescueTransport Truck, the sanctuary staff walked with her 5 kilometers to her new home.  They fed her fresh fruits and water the entire way as she would trumpet for more in excitement.  It's as though she knew she was walking to freedom and all the tasty food and nourishment she could eat...
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Tilly (front), Jokia, Mae Perm
As Tilly arrived at the park, she headed straight for the food, of course.  Years of hunger caught up with her.  Next stop, the river.  She swims like a child, playing in the water for an hour. She walks to meet the herd.  She first encounters Dani, but Dani is afraid and runs away.  She approaches the group with babies and young elephants, but they are too energetic for her.  Then she meets Jokia, the blind elephant, and Jokia's best friend Mae Perm, the old grandmother of the group.  From that moment on, Tilly follows these two distinguished ladies everywhere. They have taken her under their trunk... Perhaps it is the combined gentle spirit of all three that binds them... Happy day !
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