July 9, 2016: After more than six decades of being underfed and forced into parading people around on her back all day long, an elephant in Thai collapsed and died only a month after retiring from her chains.

Sao Noi, an elephant believed to be in her 60s, was used as a slave to meet the desires of tourists visiting Thailand. A few weeks ago, Sao Noi was rescued and retired to Boon Lott's Elephant Sanctuary in Sukhothai.

When she arrived, Sao Noi was severely malnourished, Her body emaciated, her bones brittle. But her spirit discovered new life at the sanctuary, making friends, enjoying space to roam, and falling in love with the forest.

Not long into her new beginnings, Sao Noi fell ill and began collapsing repeatedly. Her human and elephant friends, like Boon Thong, stayed by her side until her time had run out. When she passed away, the nurses and animal welfare staff at the sanctuary buried her in the forest, leaving her with fruits, flowers, and blessings from some holy monks.


















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