Gentle Giants

Introduction:

I went to a place called MandaLao, in Luang Prabang, to do a one-mile hike through the jungle with two, big elephants! MandaLao is an elephant conservation center in Luang Prabang, where they rescue elephants who have been kept in logging or riding camps. MandaLao does not use hooks or chains of any kind. MandaLao just lets the rescued elephants roam and teaches both tourists and locals how to treat elephants with respect and love.

What does this creature or plant look like?:

An elephant - you know them, I'm sure! Two big, floppy ears, two tusks, and a big, long trunk used for picking things up! They are beautiful, gray and wrinkly, and they can weigh up to 6,000 pounds!

How did I feel when I saw it?:

Happy! The elephants were so kind and gentle. They even took pieces of sugar cane right from my hand with their trunks! They are such loving creatures. You can tell when they are happy because they flap their ears and swing their tail, just like dogs!

Where does it live?:

Asian elephants live in the jungles of Laos and many other countries in Southeast Asia, like Thailand and Vietnam. They like to live in tropical forests or grasslands - anywhere with enough green food for them to eat!

How does it use its environment to survive?:

An adult Asian elephant can eat about 300 pounds of food each day!

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