Grandma Lily: A New Life of Peace After a Lifetime of Work
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by
scott
Grandma Lily (DaoReung) is an elderly elephant who has spent her entire life serving humans. Now estimated to be over 65 years old, she has finally arrived at the sanctuary to begin a bright new chapter of her life—one defined not by work, but by rest, safety, companionship, and dignity.
For more than half a century, Lily worked in logging and later in tourism. After hauling logs from the forest for decades, she was moved to Chiang Mai, where she was forced to carry tourists on her back day after day for many years. In 1989, she was purchased by her long-term caretakers and relocated to Pattaya, where she continued working as a riding elephant.
Over the years, Lily was moved multiple times across Thailand—north, south, and east—following the demands of work and circumstance. Like so many elephants, her body bears the lasting evidence of that life. Deep scars on her trunk and shoulders reflect years of hardship and endurance.
In her later years, Lily’s health began to decline and she required special care. She can no longer chew properly due to worn-down teeth and can only eat soft foods. As her body weakened and her vision faded, she began to slow down significantly, becoming limited to shorter and fewer rides.
During COVID-19 and the suspension of tourism, Lily’s situation changed again. She spent several months at Wat Saman Rattanaram in Chachoengsao before eventually returning to Pattaya, where she did limited elephant riding again for a few years until she was too old to continue giving rides to tourists. At this time, her owners contacted Save Elephant Foundation to rescue her and provide her with a comfortable life in her senior years.
Lily's Rescue Journey
During the long overnight journey to the sanctuary, Lily showed signs of fatigue, which was understandable given her age. She dozed off while standing several times along the way, so the team traveled slowly, making frequent stops to let her rest and stay comfortable—her safety and well-being remaining our top priority every step of the way.
On 6 May 2026, Lily reached her new sanctuary home, where she can finally rest and heal. Lily is a gentle and very talkative elephant. Soon after arriving, she began calling out to the other elephants, as if greeting her new neighbors and announcing her arrival. She is also chatty with her caregivers, often calling out to them sweetly while happily enjoying her soft meals.
Lily has now been released from quarantine and moved into the Senior Elephant Zone, where she is exploring her new surroundings at her own pace. She is already looking healthier and more relaxed—the worry and uncertainty she carried when she first arrived are slowly melting away, replaced by a quiet sense of confidence. Although she is still adjusting, Lily is now safe, under close veterinary monitoring, and free from the demands of work for the first time in decades. We hope that, in time, she will make friends and join a herd.
Thanks to the support of Trunks Up and the donors who helped fund her rescue, Lily has been given the freedom to live a dignified life. After a lifetime of labor, she is now in a loving home where her remaining years will be spent in comfort, care, and peace—exactly as she deserves.
