In northern Thailand, three elephants were caught on camera playfully enjoying a mud bath at a sanctuary in Chiang Mai.
The fun began when Ronaldo, a young elephant named after footballer Cristiano Ronaldo, discovered a pile of mud and started rolling around in it.
Seeing Ronaldo having a great time, two adult elephants, Boontong and Lersoo, quickly joined in, and the trio huddled together, enjoying their muddy playtime until feeding time at the animal camp.
Mud baths are essential for elephants as they help them cool off on hot days, protect their skin from the sun, and provide relief from insect bites.
Suthatta Seesan, a caretaker at the sanctuary, described the scene: “After the rain, they came out and moved along the dirt tracks. The little one was smart; he knew mud would be there after the rain. They looked happy and enjoyed their mud bath. We had just finished refreshing their bath when they decided to roll in the mud again. They are such playful creatures, but we are too as long as they’re happy.”
After their muddy antics, the elephants were cleaned by their caretakers and given a meal alongside other elephants at the camp.
While elephants are a beloved national symbol in Thailand, with about 2,000 living in the wild and another 2,000 in captivity, the pandemic has led to the closure of many popular elephant camps.
These majestic animals roam the deep jungles and national parks in the wild, though they sometimes cross paths with humans on roads and villages.
Elephants are protected by Thai law, and harming them can result in a prison sentence of up to three years and a fine of 1,000 baht (£25).
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