1 Mahout / 1 Elephant — Mae Ping & Mr Kong
At the Mekong Elephant Park, every elephant has a story and every story begins with a meeting. This month, we invite you to discover an inseparable duo: Mae Ping and Mr Kong. Among our elephants, Mae Ping is perhaps the one whose past has been the least painful.
Arriving at the park at a very young age, she was fortunately never exposed to the harshness of logging work or long years of exploitation. This protected childhood shaped her personality: lively, mischievous, curious, and sometimes a bit cheeky, she loves to push boundaries but remains deeply endearing. Free-spirited and playful, she embodies this new generation of elephants who can grow up in a caring environment, without fear or constraint.
By her side, Mr Kong is the very image of serenity. Originally from the village of Ban Beemee, he belongs to the Lao Leu ethnic group. He grew up around elephants and has understood their language since childhood. His calm nature, experience, and patience make him the perfect balance to Mae Ping’s spirited personality.
Between them, a bond of trust and respect has formed, a silent dialogue where every glance holds meaning. And perhaps their connection also comes from this: both are quick, energetic, and always on the move, sharing the same rhythm that seems to carry them forward together. Together, they represent the harmony we try to offer all our elephants: a peaceful life built on mutual respect.
The Famous 4 — Our Ladies of the Mekong
After focusing on the males last month, it’s now time to highlight our four iconic females: Mae Kham, Mae Ping, Mae Nat, and Mae Nin. This year, the dry season is arriving slowly much to the delight of our elephants, who are still busy searching for the young bamboo shoots that grow abundantly in the forest. Their family ties, well known to our visitors and community, remain a constant source of curiosity.
As a reminder: Mae Ping is the niece of Mae Nat and Mae Ninh, who are half-sisters. These family connections, strengthened by daily life spent together day and night, bring precious stability and deep serenity to the group. As high season begins, their days become a little livelier: more visitors, more movement, more kind eyes on them. Curious and playful, the females seem to enjoy this increased presence.
Sometimes they approach shyly, observe for a moment, then quietly continue their walk — because at the Mekong Elephant Park, the elephants decide their own rhythm. No staged behaviour here: it is the visitors who enter the elephants’ world, not the other way around.
The Club of 4 perfectly embodies the quiet strength and shared tenderness that define life at the park.
When visibility suddenly disappears…
A few days ago, something unexpected happened: our Instagram account was deleted without notice. We still don’t understand why, and despite our efforts, it has been impossible to contact Instagram support or receive any explanation.
This account was an essential tool for us:
• to share the daily lives of our elephants,
• to answer travellers’ questions and encourage visits,
• and to raise the funds that ensure the wellbeing of the herd and their mahouts.
Losing it means losing a precious voice, one that helped us connect with supporters around the world. If you have advice, contacts, or experience that could help us restore our page or reach the right support team, we would be extremely grateful. Any help is welcome. 💛
While we wait, you can follow our updates here:
Thank you for staying by our side — your support keeps us strong, even in the unexpected moments.
Sometimes, a little visibility changes everything
A heartfelt thank you to Janine in New Zealand for organising a fundraiser in support of the park! Thanks to such gestures of solidarity, the impact is huge. Every initiative directly contributes to the wellbeing of our elephants and their mahouts. And you can help too: a share, a visit, a donation, every gesture counts.
This support can take many forms: organising a small fundraiser, setting up a donation box, or simply giving us a bit of visibility at your workplace or among your friends and family. The Mekong Elephant Park can provide different materials (posters, banners, ready-to-print visuals) to help you share our message.
Your visibility is our voice — and every word matters. 💛 Thank you in advance for your support and kindness!
The festive season is coming… gift ideas that make a difference
What if your end-of-year gifts carried a special meaning? Every purchase directly supports our work: a simple, useful, and meaningful gesture.
And to accompany your gifts, our solidarity greeting cards are here to help. Each beautifully designed card features portraits of the park and its residents. Browse our selection and choose one or several to send to friends and family, a lovely way to share your wishes while doing some good.
And to make the countdown to Christmas even more magical, discover our Mekong Elephant Park Advent Calendar. It will open on December 1st and accompany you throughout the month: each day reveals a new photo, an exclusive video, a small game or quiz… a little burst of joy and nature to brighten the festive season.
Mekong Elephant Park 2026 Calendar
A meaningful Christmas gift — only a few left!
Great news: our 2026 desk calendars are still available — but in limited quantity! A lovely and useful gift idea, perfect to brighten your home or workspace with beautiful photos of our elephants in their natural environment. Each month showcases a peaceful moment from the park, along with small games and space for notes.
Details:
• Size: 21 x 15 cm
• Price: 15 USD (excluding shipping)
• Order via: info@mekongelephantpark.com
Every purchase supports the care of our elephants and the protection of their natural habitat.
Wallpaper of the Month
This month, our wallpaper celebrates the unique bond between Mae Ping and Mr Kong: a tender and joyful complicity, reflecting the peaceful life they share at the park.
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