The Gentle Companion
Chicha
Chicha
Chicha has been closely connected to her family for many years. She originally belonged to Mr. Mae Che, who later gave her to his eldest son, Mr. Chura, when Chicha was approximately five years old. Since then, Mr. Chura has played an important role in her care.
When Chicha came to Trunk Heaven, we did not want a change of place to mean losing every familiar relationship from her past. Trunk Heaven therefore plans to employ Mr. Chura as our Head Elephant Caretaker — allowing him to remain close to and continue caring for an elephant his family has known for many years, while earning an income and creating greater stability for his own family.
We believe continuity of relationships has value. A caretaker who has spent years with an elephant carries knowledge built through shared experience — the elephant's personality, behaviours, routines, and preferences that come only from time spent together. At Trunk Heaven, we value that knowledge and hope to combine it with a welfare-first approach that gives elephants greater choice and autonomy.
Chicha is generally healthy, lively, and gentle. She enjoys eating, playing in mud, and dust bathing, and shares a close relationship with Mo Ngae Po and Mali. Although Chicha, Mo Ngae Po, and Mali aren't all biologically related, they frequently choose to walk and spend time together.
Caring for people too
Trunk Heaven also plans to create employment opportunities for Mr. Chura's wife, as well as the wives and family members of other elephant caretakers who work with us — and, as their children grow, to find meaningful ways to support their education. Improving the lives of elephants should not mean leaving the people who care for them behind.
For Chicha, a new home does not have to mean leaving every familiar relationship behind.