Bouakham, a 49-year-old elephant, spent her life working hard, carrying logs every day.
Aaron Jackson, who works with the charity Planting Peace, saw how tough her life was and decided to help her.
Buying Freedom
@planting_peace This is Bouakham. She has been in the logging and tourist riding camps for over 30 years. Planting Peace just bought her freedom. This is her old caretakers dropping her off to me on the side of the HWY. She thinks we want to ride her. You’re free Bouakham. No more logging for you. No one will ever ride on your back again ❤️. She is roughly 20% underweight with a bad liver. You can help feed her/help with medical care cost by making a donation on our site/venmo/gofundme listed in my bio. Thankful for any help. Poor girl needs to heal. Thank you-Aaron #asia #asianelephant #laos #nonprofit #ngo #elephant #elephants #rescue #plantingpeace ♬ original sound – Aaron Jackson
To free Bouakham, Aaron talked to her owners and agreed to pay $30,000.
This money would allow them to start a different kind of business without using elephants.
Aaron raised this money through Planting Peace, and soon, Bouakham’s path to a better life was clear.
Walking to a New Life
The trip to freedom was very long—roughly 20 miles, including crossing a fast-flowing river just to reach her new home. But it was all worth it.
When Bouakham arrived at Mandalao Elephant Conservation Center, she had lots of space and new elephant friends.
She also became healthier and happier in this peaceful place.
A Well-deserve Rest
The big cost of getting Bouakham to the sanctuary seemed small once you saw how happy and healthy she was now.
Her new life was so much better, and you couldn’t really put a price on that.
Bouakham’s story was something special, something that would stick with people and show them what can happen when you care and do something about it.
