An elderly bull elephant found himself confined next to a trash pile in Chiang Mai, Thailand, his unfortunate circumstance compounding due to deprivation from adequate food and the loss of sight in one eye. The bull elephant’s harsh reality symbolized the grim conditions of numerous elephants under captivity. Enter Unchained Elephants, an organisation fuelled by an unwavering dedication to reimagining elephant conservation. They pioneered a solution, leveraging Non-Fungible Tokens (NFTs) and crowdfunding to orchestrate the world’s inaugural tokenized elephant rescue. The organisation culminated their efforts on September 5th, where Kanoon, the elderly one-eyed elephant, found refuge in an ethical elephant sanctuary named Boon Lott’s Elephant Sanctuary (BLES) in Sukhothai, Thailand.
Under the leadership of Daniel Villota, Unchained Elephants emerged as a response to the plight of “unemployed” elephants during the pandemic. They creatively applied NFTs to raise funds, achieving an initial milestone of raising $10,000 USD. This substantial contribution provided much-needed food and care across various elephant camps in Thailand, reaching eight elephants. When COVID-19 restrictions gradually lifted, tourism resumed, posing an elephant tourism crisis. With a shift from pandemic relief, their new focus became clear: implementing initiatives to rescue elephants subjected to merciless conditions and educating tourists on the state of elephant tourism.
In Mae Tang, Chiang Mai, Kanoon’s heart-wrenching situation unfolded, garnering the attention of Unchained Elephants. In consultations with elephant specialists and persistent research, the team members decided to undertake an audacious rescue mission. Chained continuously and left almost blind with scarce food, Kanoon needed rescuing. His predicament underscored the larger issue – elephants in Thailand abandoned and subjected to critical care deficits. With his owner incapable of providing the care Kanoon direly needed, an unfortunate crossroads loomed: a bleak forecast of joining the illegal logging industry or a fleeting chance at rescue. Either way, intervention had to happen, and it had to happen soon.
Unchained Elephants immediately sprang into action, generating $19,118 USD, enough funds to execute Kanoon’s rescue and relocate him to an ethical sanctuary, where his broken chains would be replaced with warmth, care, and sanctuary. Kanoon’s rescue signified more than just a single accomplishment but introduced a robust mechanism employing NFTs and crowdfunding to revolutionize elephant rescue missions.
The journey to rescuing Kanoon encountered numerous obstacles, including his status as a bull elephant, deemed challenging to manage by many sanctuaries. Amid these difficulties, Boon Lott’s Elephant Sanctuary (BLES) graciously expanded its space for Kanoon. Vivid details of the demanding 13-hour rescue amid stormy weather echo the mission’s emotional gravity. Kanoon’s story stands as a testament to resilient hope, signaling brighter days for elephant welfare.
Daniel Villota, founder of Unchained Elephants, commends the initiative’s impact in mobilizing community support through integrating new technology. The contributions of sponsors (Hyatt Regency Phuket, Stay Wellbeing Resort & The Beach Resort Koh Samui) and the relentless efforts of partners (Vicki Kiely and BLES) have collectively made this mission successful.
At the heart of Sukhothai, Thailand, Boon Lott’s Elephant Sanctuary (BLES) warmly welcomes visitors to participate in an enriching elephant experience, promoting gently coexisting spaces where rescued elephants can socialize, forage, and thrive freely. The associate initiative, Unchained Elephants, continuously evolves in its mission to liberate elephants from severe conditions, bridging the gap between token economies and real-world impact to raise funds and awareness for these majestic creatures. Focused on promoting ethical tourism, Unchained Elephants shares exclusive adoption certificates in the form of NFTs to donors, fostering an enduring bond with these rescued elephants.
In anticipation of moving forward, Unchained Elephants outlines their next steps. These include fundraising for Kanoon’s care at BLES, advocating for ethical tourism and educating travellers, continuing to search for captured elephants requiring urgent rescue.
To remain informed about Kanoon’s recovery journey and Unchained Elephants’ future missions, connect with them on their website at www.unchainedelephants.com and follow them on social media via INSTAGRAM or subscribe to their YouTube channel https://www.youtube.com/@unchainedelephants.
Be First to Comment