Feature: Love for gentle giants in Myanmar
Wingabaw is one of more than 20 elephant conservation camps in Myanmar under the Elephant Conservation-Based Tourism (ECBT) program. On Tuesday morning, mahouts had prepared a special buffet for the camp's residents, two males, five females, and one baby female.
At Wingabaw, elephant conservation is more than saving a species. It is improving the livelihoods of the local community, U Myint Soe, an official of the camp, said on Tuesday.
The main purposes of the ECBT camps are to promote nature-based tourism focusing on elephant care and conservation, while giving visitors the chance to interact closely with elephants and develop love, respect, and appreciation for them, he said. These camps also play a key role in protecting elephant habitats and preserving forests, mountains, rivers, and wetlands.
In addition, they create job opportunities for mahouts and local communities, and generate income for the department through visits from domestic and international tourists. This not only supports conservation efforts but also contributes to the growth of a green economy, the official said.
As of 2024, Myanmar is home to more than 6,000 elephants, with about 3,200 domesticated as state-owned elephants housed in 23 elephant conservation camps, official data showed.
Visitors interact with elephants at the camp in their natural setting while funding their care and supporting local families.
Among the visitors to Wingabaw camp on Tuesday was 33-year-old Ko Arkar, together with his two-year-old son while his wife feeds elephants watermelon. "My son loves elephants. He even wears elephant-themed shirts," he said, smiling.
The camp's family-friendly atmosphere was part of its charm. "We can feed them, touch them. I like riding elephants and feeding them," Ko Arkar added, noting that their tamed nature compared to wild elephants.
The camp's chief mahout Khaing Win, 35, has worked with elephants for more than a decade. "I have been interested in elephants since childhood," he said. "As a mahout, we need patience and kindness."
Founded in 2016 with just three elephants, the camp was now a hub for tourism and conservation. Guests can feed elephants, watch small shows, and enjoy short rides in the morning or late afternoon, U Myint Soe said.
The on-site elephant museum educates visitors, while an in-house veterinarian ensures every elephant remains healthy and well cared for, reinforcing the camp's commitment to animal welfare and conservation, he added.
In August last year, the camp gained attention from more people with the rare birth of twin elephants, Pearl Sint, the elder female, and Kyaw Pearl, the younger male. Their mother, 22-year-old Pearl Sandar, was known for her exceptionally gentle nature.
For mahout Aung Sithu Kyaw, 36, Pearl Sint is like a daughter. Her brother Kyaw Pearl died in July this year. "Since she was born, I've given her and her mother medicine and food. I care for her like my own," he said softly.
The mahouts' mornings start early, taking elephants to nearby stream for baths. They scrub leathery hides clean before preparing meals of grass, fruits, and sugarcane for the day ahead.
Not all elephants here can roam freely. Hla Moe Swe, a calm yet cautious female elephant, has been blind since birth. Her mahout, 26-year-old Thein Soe Naing, has carefully guided her for the past three years.
He patiently led her away from cliffs and ditches, and poles she might bump into, "You can't force them to trust you. You must be patient, kind, and spend years together."
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