After an hour drive from Kalaw we arrived at Green Hill Valley elephant and re-plantation camp in Magwe Village. Our guide welcomed us with cold lime drinks and told us about the schedule of the day that includes learning, participating and interacting with the elephants.
Green Hill Valley was founded in 2011 by a family with a history of working with elephants in Myanmar Timber Enterprise (MTE). The main focus is on providing care for elephants that are no longer fit to work. The family realised that Myanmar elephants working in timber camps were in precarious situation as logging slows down sue to a variety of factors. Another reason for starting the GHV camp was the desire to educate and share information with both local residents and foreign visitors.
In 2012 the family managed to hire several disabled elephants form the MTE. Thanks to the income provided by visitors, elephants at GHV can enjoy their full retirement and receive the veterinary care they require.
Visiting Green Hill Valley elephant camp was just something unforgettable, I never been so close to those gentle giant animals. We had time to feed and wash the elephants from the morning until the late afternoon before they were released into the forest where they spent the whole night returning next morning.
Our day started by feeding elephants with pumpkin and they really loved it! We learned that elephants eat approximately 150kg of food per day, about 100kg at the camp, and the rest 50 kg they will get from the forest by themselves. After feeding we had an opportunity to bath the elephants in a river, they really enjoyed that. We got traditional Shan- trousers from our guide so our own clothes didn’t get wet. Elephant keepers, known as a Mahouts, helped and told us what we need to do.
After bathing we learned more about the elephants and their healthcare from Mr. Ba who worked over 30 years with the Myanmar Timber Enterprise (MTE) Elephant Department. He has lot of experience with both wild and domesticated elephants. Next we enjoyed delicious local lunch, potato curry, chicken curry, pickles and paratha.
After the lunch we had time to explore the camp. Last year one of the elephants, half blind female, died in the forest when she felt down from the mountain. Mahouts found the body next morning and now the skeleton of the elephant is at the camp so everyone can learn about the elephant physique.
In the afternoon we still had some time to spend with these beautiful animals before Mahouts rode them to the forest to enjoy their freedom. After saying goodbye to the elephants we had an opportunity to help with the re-plantation by planting our own tree at the camp.
By visiting the camp besides elephants you also support the local community. Owners of the camp, Maw and Htun, have supported the community by offering an opportunity for primary education for local children. Green Hill Valley is a great experience and opportunity to learn about elephants in a responsible way.
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