Elephant's Chains Removed After Life Of Toil

Aug 15, 2020 by apost team

Back in July 2010 in Northern Thailand, Khum Min the elephant went from a life of work to a life of freedom, living as part of a herd in the jungle.

No animal deserves to live its life in chains. But it certainly seemed that for Khum Min, an elephant from Asia, he was fated to live that very life.

In the middle of a trekking camp, Khum Min spent day after day in literal chains. As reported by Animal Channel, he was subject to horrible treatment, and it seemed that he would never be liberated. But one day, that all changed. Due to the kindness, dedication, and love of a group of activists and animal lovers, Khum Min was set free.

In the country of Thailand, tourists like to make the most of the activities that are not available in their own country. Unfortunately for elephants, they are not a species found in many countries. So, when tourists have the ability to see or even ride elephants, they seek it out. Unbeknownst to many of them, however, is how poorly elephants in the elephant trekking, or elephant riding, business are treated by their human captors when the tourists are not around.

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For many of these elephants, daily life is a challenge. They live in some of the highest stress lives that an animal in captivity can live, and we know that captivity is inherently stressful for many animals as it is. Elephants used for trekking are often abused, and their own health and wellness are not always taken into account by their owners. Fortunately for Khum Min, one group of tourists who came to see him were no tourists at all.

A video posted by Rowan Hetherington shows these brave men and women, her included, that came to liberate Khum Min from his chains and did so by walking with him until they made it to Northern Thailand, where he could be safely released from his chains. The process was slow, but in time, the group was able to remove each and every one of his actual chains. As they did so, they spoke gently to Khum Min who had never been given a reason to trust humans. They stroked his trunk kindly as they began to free him and introduce him to a life of happiness.

From his trunk down to his feet, Khum Min lived in chains. But as the group of animal lovers helps remove them, Khum Min is still and calm. It is as if he is aware that he is finally among good people who will help him. It is a slow process, as the chains are heavy.

After what seems an eternity, though, Khum Min's first foot is unchained, and he shakes it free without any prodding. The chains that are still around his neck and body take only moments compared to the liberation of that first chain. As you might imagine, the watching crowd is overjoyed and claps with enthusiasm for Khum Min's newfound freedom.

Khum Min is allowed to go free and is left with a group of elephants in a nearby village. He won't be alone, nor will he ever again have to endure the cruelty of his former owners.

Free elephants in Asia are endangered. In fact, it has been said that the entire elephant population in Asia amounts to fewer than 50,000 elephants today. With groups like Elephant Voices working diligently to save elephants like Khum Min, there is hope yet.

As Khum Min heads toward his new life, the volunteers and animal lovers can be seen with tears in their eyes. How much more does Khum Min feel as he finally walks away from his chains and into a new life?

Many animals around the world live in captivity. Their quality of life is far less than what it should be. Fortunately, thanks to brave individuals, these animals are often freed. Khum Min is one Asian elephant who will never have to endure cruelty again.

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