San Mueang
San Mueang
Born 2013 | Male | Elephant Nature Park
San Mueang is a male elephant who was removed from his mother’s care at a very young age of 3-years-old and forced to perform at the Phuket Zoo.
He was forced to “dance” to music, “play” musical instruments and perform demeaning tricks for tourists’ entertainment. The lengthy performances were held up to three-times-a-day, all under the threat of the sharp “bullhook”. When not performing, he was chained on concrete flooring in a small, barren enclosure, where onlookers often saw the him swaying repeatedly in distress - a sign of the psychological condition ‘zoochosis’.
Since his rescue to Elephant Nature Park in August, 2020 he has become more calm, but still shows signs of the significant trauma of his previous life. We hope that time, love and care will bring San Mueang back to be a playful young boy soon.
