A formerly reclusive elephant, Jokia, has blossomed into a grandmother figure following a time of bonding with a rescued mother and calf.
Picture of elephant not affiliated to the one mentioned in the article/Wolfgang Hasselmann/Unsplash
At Thailand’s Save Elephant Foundation, a heartwarming reunion of sorts has captured global attention—this time, between elephants.
Jokia, a blind elephant with a traumatic past in the country’s logging industry, spent years in solitude, avoiding other elephants and struggling to trust again. But everything changed with the arrival of Moloh Loh and her calf, Lek Lek, rescued from a tourist riding operation.
Their story, shared in a recent interview with GeoBeats Animals by the Foundation’s founder, Saengduean “Lek” Chailert, reveals a powerful transformation.
Once withdrawn and wary, Jokia began to engage with the pair. Day by day, she stepped closer—emotionally and physically—until she fully embraced her new role as Lek Lek’s affectionate grandmother.
“Jokia was very antisocial before,” said Lek. “Now, she touches the baby and shows so much love. It’s incredible to witness.”
The Save Elephant Foundation, known for its work rescuing elephants from exploitative industries, continues to share touching updates on YouTube, where this intergenerational bond has gone viral.
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