Pattie Saiee and Thong Dee
As the oldest and most experienced mahout,
Patti Saiee is as much the great patriarchal figure of the mahouts, as his
elephant Thong Dee is the great matriarchal figure of the herd. I’ve been told
that when project first began Patti Saiee was so quiet and shy he barely looked
at the volunteer group. While I certainly wouldn’t call him loud or boisterous
now, Patti Saiee is almost always interactive with the volunteers. Always
friendly, Patti Saiee can be relied upon to answer any questions (as far as the
language barrier allows) and help lead us on a great hike. He maintains an air
of maturity above the other mahouts who love to play little practical jokes and
tease volunteers, but he definitely has his moments of fun. You’ll find your bag
filled with twigs and leaves, or a sudden splash of buffalo poo sling-shot in
your direction and Patti Saiee will be looking around innocently, apart from
the little cheeky grin giving him away.
Patti Saiee and Thong Dee have worked
together for over 50 years now and the relationship between them is beautiful
to watch. For me, it exemplifies the relationship all captive elephants deserve
to have with their human friends. While Patti Saiee definitely has control of
Thong Dee when need be, the interaction between them seems to be based on more
of a partnership then owner/animal. It’s not unusual to catch Patti Saiee
whispering in her ear, or giving her eye an affectionate little ‘squeeze and
smack’. Although I can’t guarantee what Thong Dee is thinking, there are
definitely times when Patti Saiee wants her to do something or walk somewhere,
and she’ll stop and look at him just long enough to let you know she’s doing it
on her own terms.
Some of my favourite times on project are just
sitting with Patti Saiee and Thong Dee after a health check. There’s something
very peaceful about being in their presence. Thong Dee will stand and eat her
elephant grass in a rhythmic pattern, swinging it from side to side with her
trunk to break off the most appetising parts before placing it in her giant
mouth and chewing noisily. Meanwhile Patti Saiee sits next to her, dwarfed by
his giant friend – or sometimes sheltering underneath her if it rains. It’s a
beautiful thing that through our project, Thong Dee will live the rest of her
life in happy retirement in the forest, and Patti Saiee can be at home in Huay
Pakoot, with all his family - human and
elephant.
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