Instagram story viewer> @samuielephanthaven> Posts

Samui Elephant Haven

@samuielephanthaven

58K

followers

652

following

A peaceful sanctuary where rescued elephants can simply be elephants.🐘
Ethical encounters: No riding, No chains
Koh Samui, Thailand 🏝️🇹🇭

POSTS STORIES REELS

Moloair has one of those little habits that makes her… well, Moloair. 🐘😂

When there’s nothing much going on, Moloair sometimes reaches down and pulls on her nipples. And she doesn’t just do it once or twice, she can keep at it for quite a while!

It might look funny to us, but repetitive behaviors like this can happen for different reasons in elephants. Elephants are highly intelligent and curious animals, and just like people, they can develop little habits or routines that they seem to enjoy. Some repetitive behaviors can be linked to boredom, comfort, stimulation, or simply something an individual elephant has discovered and likes doing.

We can’t say for certain exactly what Moloair is thinking when she does this. Animal behavior isn’t always that simple, and we try not to put human explanations onto everything an elephant does.

What we do know is that Moloair has made this particular behavior very much her own.

She can spend her day eating, walking, exploring, resting and being around the other elephants — and then, every now and again, she decides that pulling her nipples is the most interesting thing to do. 😂

And after spending enough time with Moloair, one thing is clear:
She has her own personality… and apparently her own very creative way of passing the time. 🐘

Never a dull moment with Moloair!

Book your visit to meet her in person via the link in our bio ✨

#SamuiElephantHaven #GentleGiants #elephant #ethical #elephantsanctuary by @samuielephanthaven

Today, Kwan Samui tried a tasty orange 🍊

We thought she might just grab it and start eating — but instead, she took her time. She carefully peeled the skin away first, piece by piece, before enjoying what was inside.

Moments like this quietly remind us how thoughtful and intelligent elephants are. They observe, they learn, and they choose their own way of doing things.

Watching Kwan Samui explore something new is always a joy 🐘🧡

Book your visit to meet her in person via the link in our bio. ✨

#SamuiElephantHaven #EthicalSanctuary #ElephantMoments #GentleGiants #ElephantFacts #WildlifeEducation #FunFact #rescuedelephants #SmartElephant #SaveTheElephants #ElephantSanctuary #EthicalElephantSanctuary by @samuielephanthaven

Our sweet girl Nong Pech and her best friend Samui spent the afternoon splashing, playing, and enjoying the freedom they deserve. 💦

When Nong Pech noticed us filming, she lifted her trunk to say hello 👋 — a small gesture that shows how intelligent and connected elephants truly are.
Every day at Samui Elephant Haven, we witness their joy, healing, and friendship. 🌿

This is what life should look like for every elephant — free, loved, and safe. 🐘🩵

#SamuiElephantHaven #ElephantSanctuaryThailand #EthicalElephantExperience #ElephantRescueThailand #SaveElephants #VisitThailandResponsibly #EcoTourismThailand #WildlifeConservation #ElephantLovers #ResponsibleTravel by @samuielephanthaven

An elephant eye close-up is your reminder that nature loves a good little surprise. 👀

Look at those eyelashes! They’re much longer than you might expect from an animal with such thick skin and a face that can look a little rugged. But those lashes aren’t just there to look pretty. They help keep dust, dirt, and other tiny particles away from the eye.

Now for the part that might make you look twice: elephants have three eyelids, not just two like we usually think of in humans.

There’s an upper eyelid, a lower eyelid, and a special third eyelid called the nictitating membrane. It moves across the eye to help protect its surface and keep it moist, particularly when an elephant is feeding, bathing, or moving through dusty surroundings. Nature really did give them an extra layer of protection!

But how clearly can elephants see us? 👁️

Their eyesight is generally less sharp than ours, especially over longer distances. They can detect movement and see their surroundings, but they also depend heavily on their other senses, including their remarkable sense of smell and their excellent hearing.

They also see colours differently. Studies suggest elephants have dichromatic colour vision, meaning they have two main types of colour-sensitive cone cells instead of the three most humans have. Scientists have some good clues about their colour vision, but the exact way elephants perceive the world is still not fully understood.

Pretty amazing for one little eye, isn't it? 🩵

Book your visit to meet her in person via the link in our bio ✨

#samuielephanthaven #elephant #ethicalelephantsanctuary #elephantsanctuary #gentlegiant by @samuielephanthaven

Samui seems to have a little plan for her snacks today! 😂🐘

She's wandering around with one pineapple top balanced on her head and another held carefully in her trunk. We're not entirely sure what she's planning, but perhaps one snack simply isn't enough!

Elephants spend a large part of their day searching for and eating food. In the wild, they can spend many hours foraging, using their trunks to pick up grass, leaves, fruit, and branches. Their trunks are incredibly versatile, helping them gather food, smell their surroundings, and explore different objects.

And sometimes, they seem to find their own funny ways of carrying things around.

We can't know for sure whether Samui is saving that pineapple top for later, but we'd like to think she's keeping her options open. 🍍😂

At Samui Elephant Haven, we love watching these little everyday moments. Every elephant has their own personality, and Samui certainly knows how to keep us entertained!

One thing's for sure: if you're going to wander around, you might as well bring snacks with you.

Now the important question is… how many pineapple tops do you think Samui plans to collect before she's satisfied? 👀🩵

Book your visit to meet them in person via the link in our bio ✨

#SamuiElephantHaven #elephant #GentleGiants #rescuedelephants #elephantsanctuary by @samuielephanthaven

Granny Sudarat has been around for an estimated 65 years, making her the eldest elephant at Samui Elephant Haven. And today, our full-day volunteers are busy preparing a very special meal just for her! 🍚🐘

Elephants have impressively long lives. Many live for 50–70 years, and some can live longer. They don't experience life exactly as humans do, but their long lifespan means caring for them is a commitment that can span decades. As elephants grow older, their comfort, diet, and daily care may need to change to suit their needs.

Sudarat is a lovely example of why individual care matters. She's lost all her teeth, leaving only her gums, so tough foods like pineapple tops are difficult for her to chew. You might still catch her happily smacking one around in her mouth, only for it to come out later looking almost the same as before!

To make mealtimes easier, we prepare soft rice balls for her.

And here's where you can get involved! Making a big bowl of rice balls is one of the practical activities included in our Full-Day Volunteer Program. It's a chance to help with everyday sanctuary work, learn about our elephants, and understand how their needs can change as they age.

You'll leave with more than photos. You'll have a better understanding of the care, patience, and teamwork involved in looking after these incredible animals.

Want to lend a hand to our oldest lady? Join us for a full day at Samui Elephant Haven via the link in our bio ✨

#samuielephanthaven #ethicalelephanttourism #elephant #gentlegiant #elephantsanctuary by @samuielephanthaven

Samui: I'm going to sit down and enjoy the rain.
Nong Pech: Perfect. While you're there, can I borrow your back for a scratch? 😂🐘

These two girls are enjoying a muddy afternoon together, and they seem to have found their own ways to make the most of it. Samui, our playful girl, has settled down in the mud with her trunk raised, while Nong Pech stands behind her, rubbing against her back.

We love moments like this because elephants can be so entertaining without even trying. Their everyday behaviours, from rolling in mud to scratching against different surfaces, give us little glimpses into how they explore their surroundings and look after themselves.

Mud isn't just something elephants enjoy playing in. It can help protect their skin from sunlight and insects, while scratching against sturdy surfaces helps relieve itchy spots and remove dried mud. Even though their skin is thick, it still needs regular care.

Trees and rocks often make useful scratching spots, but today Nong Pech seems to have found a rather convenient alternative. Luckily, Samui looks quite happy doing her own thing!

At Samui Elephant Haven, we want our elephants to have the freedom to choose how they spend their days. Sometimes they wander, sometimes they rest, and sometimes they turn an ordinary rainy afternoon into a funny little scene like this one.

Now we're curious: would you be Samui, relaxing in the mud, or Nong Pech, making the most of a good scratching spot? 😂🌧️

Book your visit to meet them in person via the link in our bio ✨

#SamuiElephantHaven #elephant #gentlegiants #elephantsanctuary #ethicalelephanttourism by @samuielephanthaven

A little rain, a natural pool, and two elephants enjoying the moment. Sometimes, the simplest things make the loveliest scenes. 🐘

Saen Dee and Moloair are spending a rainy day playing together in the nature pool, splashing and exploring while the rain falls around them. Neither seems to mind the weather, and we're happy to let them enjoy it at their own pace.

Saen Dee is the newest member of our group of five female elephants. As one of the older females, she has become another aunty in the herd. Moloair already shares a special bond with Sudarat, her favourite granny, but it's lovely to see her spending time with Saen Dee, too.

Water is an important part of an elephant's environment. Elephants may bathe, splash, roll, or submerge themselves in pools, and these activities can help them cool down and care for their skin. A natural pool also gives them space to move, explore, and engage with their surroundings.

And when it rains, the experience can become even more interesting. The changing sounds, wet ground, and fresh surroundings offer plenty for curious elephants to explore.

We don't need to arrange anything special for moments like these. By providing space, water, and the freedom to make their own choices, we can let the elephants decide what a good day looks like.

For Saen Dee and Moloair, it looks like a rainy swim with a friend. 🌧️🩵

Book your visit to meet them in person via the link in our bio ✨

#SamuiElephantHaven #elephant #GentleGiants #rescuedelephants #ElephantSanctuary by @samuielephanthaven

Someone is watching Samui very closely… 👀🐱🐘

Mochi, our little feline observer, keeping an eye on Samui from behind the rocks. Meanwhile, Samui seems perfectly busy doing her own thing, possibly without even noticing her tiny audience. 😂

It’s quite a size difference between these two, but it’s lovely to see how animals sharing the same environment can end up in the same little scene, each going about their day in their own way.

Cats are naturally curious observers. They often watch their surroundings from a spot where they feel comfortable, using their excellent hearing, eyesight, and sense of smell to gather information about what’s happening around them. Finding a sheltered place to observe can also help them feel secure.

Elephants, meanwhile, have their own ways of exploring and responding to the world around them. They rely on their senses to notice changes in their surroundings, although we can’t know whether Samui has noticed Mochi hiding behind those rocks in this particular moment.

We love little scenes like this because they remind us that animals don't need to interact directly for a moment to be interesting. Sometimes, one is simply watching while the other carries on as usual.

So, what do you think? Has Samui spotted her little audience, or is Mochi watching the show all by herself? 😂🩵

Book your visit to meet them in person via the link in our bio ✨

#SamuiElephantHaven #elephant #gentlegiants #rescuedelephants #elephantsanctuary by @samuielephanthaven

Like mother, like daughter! 😂🐘

Here’s Som Boon, Nong Pech’s mum, taking a little stroll around the sanctuary with a pineapple leaf hanging out of her mouth. And we couldn’t help thinking about her daughter, who has a similar habit of holding things in her mouth. Coincidence? We’ll let you decide! 🍍

Mother-daughter relationships are an important part of elephant life. In the wild, elephant calves depend on their mothers for years, learning how to navigate their environment, find food, and interact with other elephants. Their mothers provide protection and guidance, while the wider herd can also play an important role in a young elephant’s development.

These early relationships help calves learn about the world around them and become part of their social group. As they grow older, they develop their own personalities and preferences, too.

Of course, we can’t say that Nong Pech picked up this particular habit from Som Boon. But seeing this little resemblance between them makes us smile.
Sometimes, it’s the smallest details that remind us of the connections elephants share. Every elephant has their own character, but family relationships are an important part of what makes their social lives so fascinating.

And in this case, it seems both mum and daughter know how to keep a little something close while going about their day. 😂❤️

Like mother, like daughter, or just a funny coincidence? What do you think?

Book your visit to meet them in person via the link in our bio ✨

#samuielephanthaven #ethicalelephanttourism #elephant #gentlegiant #elephantsanctuary by @samuielephanthaven

Turn the sound on for a little taste of Samui’s morning! 🐘🌿

There’s something lovely about the rainy season on Koh Samui. The mountains turn a deeper shade of green, the landscape feels fresh after the rain, and some mornings bring views that make you want to stop and take it all in.

Meanwhile, Samui has a much more important task to focus on: her pineapple leaves!

Listen closely, and you’ll hear those satisfying smacking sounds as she works through her breakfast. Elephants spend a large part of their day feeding, and there’s a good reason for all that chewing.

As herbivores, elephants eat a wide variety of plants, including grasses, leaves, fruits, and bark. Much of this food is fibrous and tough, so it needs to be crushed and ground down before swallowing. Their large molars are specially adapted for this job, helping break plant material into smaller pieces.

Chewing is an important first step in digestion. The smaller the pieces, the more effectively the digestive system can work on the food. Elephants also rely on microbes in their digestive tract to help break down some of the plant material they consume.

So those little smacks aren’t just part of the show. They’re a reminder of how an elephant’s body is adapted to a life spent eating plants.

As for Samui, she seems perfectly content with her breakfast, the fresh morning air, and that incredible mountain scenery in the background.

Honestly, we’d happily join her for a morning like this. 🩵

Book your visit to meet her in person via the link in our bio ✨

#samuielephanthaven #ethicalelephanttourism #elephant #gentlegiant #elephantsanctuary by @samuielephanthaven

Some elephants enjoy their food so much that they just can’t bear to leave any behind! 🍌🐘

Plai Bank, who seems to have found his own little trick for keeping his favourite snack close by. When he gets a banana tree, he doesn’t always eat the whole thing at once. Instead, as you can see in this video, he tucks some of it between his impressive, extra-long tusks to save for later. Talk about planning ahead!

As a male elephant, Plai Bank has particularly long tusks, which make him quite a sight to see. But tusks aren’t just there to make an elephant look magnificent. They are elongated upper incisor teeth that continue to grow throughout an elephant’s life. Elephants use them for various purposes, including stripping bark from trees, digging, moving objects, and sometimes competing with other elephants.

And for Plai Bank, they seem to have another handy use: keeping a little extra food within reach! Of course, he still uses his trunk to pick up and eat his food, but those long tusks make a convenient place to hold on to a piece of banana tree while he enjoys the rest.

It’s always fascinating to see how elephants use their bodies in ways that suit their individual needs. And Plai Bank certainly seems to know how to make the most of his impressive tusks!

Would you have guessed that an elephant could use his tusks this way? 🩵

#samuielephanthaven #ethicalelephanttourism #elephant #gentlegiant #plaibank by @samuielephanthaven