Life in captivity is the worst possible way to live. Unfortunately, many animals suffer this fate due to human abuse. Among them is Grandma Somboon, an elephant that has spent more than 80 years in captivity.
This sad animal was abducted from the wild as a calf and has spent her life transporting visitors and acting in performances.
Somboon eventually got the notice of Thailand’s Save Elephant Foundation, which advocates for captive elephants.
“It’s time for Grandma to be well cared for and allowed to rest,” the rescue wrote on Facebook last year, adding, “We’re on a rescue mission to protect Somboon and transport her to her final true home.”
It didn’t take long for them to complete their aim of giving the beautiful animal the life she had always deserved.
Image credits: Elephant Nature Park / Facebook
Somboon was freed from his irons and taken to the Elephant Nature Park sanctuary.
However, this did not mean her ordeal was ended.
Unfortunately, years of hard work and neglect had taken a toll on her health and body.
Image credits: Elephant Nature Park / Facebook
Emaciated, missing a tooth, terribly dehydrated, and with hazy eyes, she still had a long way to go before full recovery.
“Upon arrival, many new elephants, still plagued by paranoia and lack of trust, take weeks before they will lie down,” according to the rescue organization.
“But Grandma Somboon rejected the norm. Exhausted from her journey and a lifetime of difficulty, she immediately sought the sand mound prepared for her, sleeping comfortably amidst the frenetic activity around her.”
Somboon, fatigued from her hard existence of nearly 80 years, lay down and rested as soon as she arrived at her new haven.
For the first time in eight decades, she was able to sleep without her ankle chains.
Her rescuers were concerned that she would be unable to adjust, but she did.
Somboon continues to astonish everyone with her daily improvement.
For this poor elephant, life was finally good again.
We are grateful that rescue groups exist to provide neglected and abused animals a second chance.