After 50 years of being passed around to different owners, the 73-year-old elephant, Sook-Jai stepped onto another moving truck. She had no idea this would be the last trip she would ever have to take.
Sook-Jai’s 50 years of service had not been easy on her. Over the years, her owners forced her to do tourist trekking and street begging. Now her body was failing her.
The senior elephant could not see, and she had lost most of her hearing. Fortunately, she was going to a place where she would never have to work a day in her life again.
“We went to see about Sook Jai four months ago after a friend told us her story, and he could no longer think of her carrying on to work when she was blind, deaf and old,” the organization wrote in their description of the video. “She deserved better than this.”
When the rescuers took her in, Sook-Jai was in terrible condition. In addition to her sight and hearing, she had wounds on her head and body. Over the 20-hour commute to the sanctuary, the team worked together to ensure she was comfortable.
When she was cold, the rescuers helped keep her warm, and when she was hot, they pulled off the cover and poured water on her. Sook-Jai could tell this time was different. As she drove toward her new home, tears rolled down her cheek.
After 50 years of difficult forced labor, Sook-Jai was free. Thanks to this rescue team, Sook-Jai would never have to work again. “Her life will be without any restraints,” they said at the end of the video. “She will remain free, as she deserves.”
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