The Chiang Mai Zoo

There is a shorter verison of this at asianelephantstories if you only want to know about the elephants. Photo’s from the day are at http://s935.photobucket.com/albums/ad200/jnelson1944/CM_Zoo/

There are shuttle buses. For 20 baht you can ride them all day long getting off and back on at your pleasure. The zoo property is green and well kept. It’s clean and features an aquarium, pandas, tigers and of course the venerable elephant! I miss my grandson (the last time I was at a zoo was with him).

The first stop is to see a magnificent bull elephant. He happens to be in a small pen on the side of the road. Zoo goers are allowed to feed him. You can purchase a small bowl of food for 20 baht. The bowl consists of a few cucumbers and a piece of sugar cane. This isn’t street begging, but it certainly leaves the uninitiated with the impression that it’s o.k. If I can feed this elephant, why not the baby on the streets of Chiang Mai? At least this one isn’t in danger of getting hit by a truck, but his life must be really boring!

A Ka Sit, age 26, Chiang Mai Zoo 

The first thing I noticed about this elephant was is tusks. They cross and are protected with some sort of padding. I guess he’s safe from poachers there in the zoo.

The next thing I noticed, right next to where they sell the food to feed him is a display case of Ivory. I don’t know about you, but that made my skin crawl. I walked off and had to go back later just to get a snap shot (prove to myself what I’d seen).   Oh I guess this qualifies as a JEAM entry.

Ivory for sale next to a living Tusker.  Ironic?

The next stop was the panda exibit. I have to brag for just a minute. I’ve been studying the Thai language and am getting to the point where I can read just a tiny bit. The sign outside the Panda exhibit states that adult admission is ๒๕๑ baht. The corresponding sign in English advises that the foreigner price is 450 baht. So I pointed at Thai sign and asked in my definitely not fluent Thai if the price was not in fact 250 baht. That ticket and two more were purchased at Thai prices just because I could read a little, smile and ask. The pandas are kept in pretty small areas, much smaller than the national zoo in Washington D.C. Chiang Mai has two pandas; the locals are proud of them, especially the young one who was born here.

Panda, Chiang Mai Zoo

After seeing the pandas; I had a much clearer view than in D.C. it was off to the Aquarium. The aquarium is pretty cool and if you can read and speak a little you too can get in for Thai prices. Paying foreigner prices would be worth it if you are into sea life; I am. My favorite moment had to be when 15 or 20 apprentice monks came through the underwater tunnel. Typical teenagers they are; all in a hurry.

The lens was fast enough for the fish, what can I say?

I saw two tigers! They are beautiful animals. These two were pacing and seemed to be inviting me in for lunch, their lunch that is. I doubt that these cats were drugged. There were a few leopards in neighboring enclosures. Back on the shuttle and off to see the elephant habitat.

Tiger!

The elephant habitat is small but seems to be well cared for. It’s certainly clean. I saw another bull and one cow. This bulls tusks were also impressive. The two are obviously friends. I loved the moment when she placed her trunk between his tusks and snuggled with him.

Elephant snuggle at the Chiang Mai Zoo

The enclosure has a gazebo or sorts. As I was leaving the bull went to it and rang the wooden bell; one of his elephant toys no doubt. While these elephants seem to be healthy it was hard for me to stay and watch them longer than necessary to get the photos. They are too confined and without much stimulation.

I walk by the ostrich enclosure. Something tells me that it’s not a good sign that some of them are missing huge amounts of their plumage. I know nothing about the ostrich, but I’m thinking this can’t be good.

Is this wrong, or is it just me?

I stopped to see the giraffes. There are three of them and a zebra in an enclosure. The sign says it’s O.K. to feed the giraffe, but not the zebra. One of our long necked friends was down mooching from the tourists while the other two hung out in the back with the zebra.

What a face!

As the tour bus made it’s way toward the exit we came across elephant ride station. Are these elephants kept with the two in enclosure? I would hope there are at least two enclosures since there are definitely two bulls, but who knows. Elephant rides are far from the worst that these creatures have to endure at the hands of mankind, but frankly I was surprised to see them at the Chiang Mai zoo. On second thought after having seen the elephant feeding station and the ivory for sale, I really should not have been surprised at all.

Elephant Rides at the Chiang Mai Zoo

At the end of the day, the Chiang Mai Zoo is not perfect, but it’s far from the worst zoo I’ve seen.

Abundant Blessings!