An orphaned elephant has captured hearts around the world as she displayed her inseparable bond with two rescue dogs, taking them for a ride on her back at the Tiemchan Elephant Camp in Chiang Mai, Thailand.
Six-year-old female elephant Valentine sits down and lets the two-year-old black Labrador Hiccup sit on her back at the Tiemchan Elephant Camp in Chiang Mai, Thailand
The elephant, who was born at the animal sanctuary six years ago, patiently sits on the grass for her canine passengers
A member of staff keeps a watchful eye over the animals as Valentine gives the canines a ride on her back
Footage captured at the sanctuary showcases the heartwarming interaction between six-year-old female elephant Valentine and her two canine companions, Hiccup and Maa. Valentine, who was born at the sanctuary, patiently kneels down to allow her friends to hop onto her back for a tandem ride.
The bond between Valentine and Hiccup, a two-year-old black Labrador, began after the canine was rescued and brought to the sanctuary. Since then, their friendship has blossomed, with Maa joining in to enjoy tandem rides with her animal friends.
The elephant carefully moves across the ground as her two canine friends enjoy the view from above
Hiccup and Maa balance themselves on Valentine’s back as the elephant walks around the sanctuary
Chaimongkol Kananok, a staff member at the camp, expressed his surprise at the unlikely friendship, stating, “I guess it’s because they grew up together. This is quite unusual, dogs and elephants do not get along. I was surprised.”
Hiccup has taken on the role of a protector, or mahout, for Valentine, demonstrating a strong sense of loyalty and guardianship over his elephant companion. Chaimongkol added, “He thinks he is the bodyguard of Valentine and is very protective of her.”
Even during moments of rest, the bond between Valentine and Hiccup remains unbreakable. “The pooch is like the elephant’s shadow, they are always together. Even while sleeping, Valentine is never out of Hiccup’s sight,” shared Chaimongkol.
The heartwarming display highlights the capacity for friendship and companionship across species boundaries, offering a poignant reminder of the importance of compassion and connection in the animal kingdom.
As an endangered species, the Asian Elephant faces numerous threats to its survival, making initiatives like the Tiemchan Elephant Camp crucial for their conservation. With an estimated 3,000 elephants in Thailand, sanctuaries play a vital role in providing safe havens for these majestic creatures, allowing them to thrive in environments where they can form meaningful relationships, such as the one shared between Valentine and her canine companions.