High in the mountains of northern Thailand, Dr. Nissa Mututanont spends her days caring for rescued elephants that have found sanctuary at the Golden Triangle Asian Elephant Foundation (GTAEF), a conservation initiative supported by Anantara Golden Triangle Elephant Camp & Resort.
Based within a 160-acre bamboo forest overlooking the Mekong region, the foundation provides lifelong care for elephants rescued from city streets, logging operations and tourism activities, offering them a safe environment where they can live free from exploitation.
From Veterinary Student to Guardian of Giants
Dr. Nissa joined GTAEF in 2015 after training as a veterinarian, embarking on a career she never expected would revolve around elephants.
Rather than treating household pets, her daily routine now involves monitoring the health and wellbeing of 22 rescued elephants, working closely with traditional mahouts to provide compassionate, cooperative care.
Reflecting on her first encounter with the animals, she said:
“Elephants have no smell; at best, they smell like the earth. Being so large and grounded, they are like mountains that have weathered everything.”
Building Trust Through Positive Care
One of Dr. Nissa’s key achievements has been introducing positive reinforcement techniques that encourage elephants to voluntarily participate in medical examinations and treatments.
Using simple tools such as padded sticks, gentle cues and sunflower seeds as rewards, she has trained more than 400 mahouts in modern elephant care methods that prioritise cooperation over force.
She explained:
“The elephant is the old world, the mahout is the modern world. Together they move as one.”
The approach allows each elephant to choose whether to engage with caregivers, creating a calmer environment that supports both physical and emotional wellbeing.
Guests Experience Ethical Elephant Encounters
Visitors staying at Anantara Golden Triangle Elephant Camp & Resort can observe the rescued elephants through carefully managed experiences designed around the animals’ welfare.
Activities include:
- Walking with the elephants
- Feeding sessions
- River bathing experiences
- Overnight stays in the resort’s Jungle Bubble accommodations overlooking the sanctuary
The elephants are never forced to interact, with many choosing to remain in the forest while guests observe from a respectful distance.
According to Dr. Nissa:
“Their calm energy grounds people. For some guests, it becomes overwhelming in the most beautiful way.”
Stories of Resilience
Among the elephants closest to Dr. Nissa are Poonlarp, a former circus elephant who overcame profound loss after the death of her daughter, and Jathong, whose gentle temperament has remained unchanged despite working with seven different mahouts throughout her life.
Their stories reflect the broader mission of the Golden Triangle Asian Elephant Foundation, which has provided care for more than 50 rescued elephants since its establishment.
Looking ahead, Dr. Nissa hopes greater understanding will continue to improve the lives of elephants across Thailand.
“I am, somehow, a guardian of the elephant. We hope tomorrow’s world will be kinder and more understanding of their circumstances.”
