NathanClose Bond
Faa Mai was born into a place where there was no violence or abuse committed on elephants by humans, so it was not hard for her to warm up to the people working there. She was able to connect with the staff and Chailert especially. She did not have any memory of cruelty from humans so she was very trusting and happy to play with the humans on the sanctuary. She was exceptionally close to Chailert and the pair soon became inseparable. They were always together if she was in the sanctuary.
Very Close
If you want to see if this friendship is the real deal, then there are any videos of these two playing around and being silly. The sanctuary has released a few clips of these two in action, proving just how bonded they are. There is one footage where Fai Mai pulls Chailert closer to her using her trunk. Fai Mai then ends up giving a very big kiss to her loving caretaker. This was her way of letting her know that she appreciates Chailert for her efforts in keeping her healthy and happy.
Nap Time Routine
There is another sweet ritual that this duo does that will surely make you feel warm in your heart. There is a special way that Chailert puts Fai Mai down for a nap which really does prove the duo’s undying love for each other. Ever since Fai Mai was still a baby, Chailert has done this to make the elephant fall asleep. She had always used this technique to soothe elephant to sleep till now and Faa Mai does not expect anything else when the time comes for her to take her daily naps.
Singing
There was one video uploaded on YouTube that has showcased the special routine that Faa Mai and Chailert follow during nap time. So what really happens when it is time to hit the sack? Well when Faa Mai gets ready to start sleeping, Chailert would take out a scarf and would hum lullabies in the elephant’s ear to calm her down. She would try to sing the sweet elephant to sleep and be as comforting as she possibly can. However, there is another uncommon thing they like to do…
Loving Nudge
Well, the image above would make it all the more confusing. What does Chailert do to the elephant? Chailert would continue her lullabies, singing softly in Faa Mai’s ears, then she would take her scarf, using it to swat the backside of Faa Mai. To most people, this would be an alarming sight, but it is not an act of cruelty at all. Fai Mai actually loves the feeling of being tapped by the scarf and even helps her to sleep better. Such a strange way of trying to get someone to fall asleep isn’t it?
Kneeling Down
Then the elephant starts to feel sleepier with each swat. Chailert would continually swat on Fai Mai while still humming and then it would eventually lead to the elephant slowly resting on her hind legs. In the end, Fai Mai would slowly lie down on her side and then Chailert would move closer and closer to Faa Mai’s ears singing and calming him all the more. The video shows just how much the elephant enjoys this ritual and she seems to be on cloud nine whenever her caretaker does this.