She maybe nearing the end of her studies into the science of horses but it was elephants that drew Charles Sturt University (CSU) student Ms Erin Lennox to Thailand and Laos in 2011.

 

The final year Bachelor of Equine Science student from the School of Animal and Veterinary Sciences at CSU in Wagga Wagga travelled to Surin in northeast Thailand before crossing the border to observe the annual Elephant Festival in  Paklay in northwest Lao People’s Democratic Republic (PDR) last February.

 

Living in the staff dormitories at the Rajamangala University of Technology in the city of Surin, the CSU student joined a group of Thai students in an elephant conservation class.

 

“The University owns one elephant, Nampet. Each morning we would clean out Nampet’s living area and then go and chop down some trees or grasses for him to eat,” said Ms Lennox. “Of an afternoon, we went back down to the elephant camp to give Nampet a bath and a big drink. He really seemed to enjoy this ritual as he grabbed the hose and put it in his mouth. Then we got to have a ride. At first I was mainly being led around but after a few days, the Thai students began to teach me the commands so I could control Nampet by myself.

 

“The language barrier made the voice commands difficult as I was obviously not pronouncing things correctly and getting the wrong response. As my confidence grew I was able to ask him to jump up on his hind legs, lay down, sit like a dog or lift one leg so I could climb on like a proper traditional elephant trainer, known as a mahout.

 

“I was also able to contribute to English language classes at the University. In Thailand’s north and in the more rural areas, English is not as popular as in Bangkok or tourist areas.

 

“When I wasn’t at University, I was taken around the city to see different things such as an ivory cutting ceremony where the tips of the tusks of a young elephant were removed to protect the mahout when the elephant got older. 

 

“I was one of very few westerners in the area and caused quite a scene wherever I went. I was often stopped for photos or to shake hands.”

 

Before returning to Australia, the CSU student went to the Lao Elephant Festival 2011 in Paklay. Ms Lennox travelled with a lecturer in animal science from Rajamangala University of Technology, two elephant vets, four traditional mahouts, and the manager of the Ban Ta Klang Elephant Village in Surin, which houses more than 100 elephants and has a focus on conservation.

“There were 50 elephants participating in the annual elephant festival. A highlight was the elephant procession from one end of the village to the other. When the animals reached the showground some elephants put on a performance and others just stood for photos.

 

“As the elephants began the procession, I asked if I could ride one. Luckily I was able to, as most of the elephants where being ridden only by their mahout and in some cases the owner’s family, so I felt quite special. The locals lined the streets and offered money as the elephants walked by. The elephants would take the money in their trunk and pass it above their head to the mahout or me.

 

“Lao PDR was an incredible place. The people didn’t seem to have much yet they were always smiling and friendly.

“I loved being able to live with the people in Thailand and doing the things the locals do. I would do it again in a heartbeat. I would highly recommend international travel for other students. You just have to be open to all experiences.”  

Ms Lennox will receive credit for the trip as part of the compulsory workplace learning in the equine science program.

 

Originally from the Blue Mountains in NSW, Ms Lennox is planning an Honours year in 2011.  With a taste for international experiences and an interest in animal nutrition, she also hopes to undertake an internship in the United States in 2012.

 

A dressage competitor, Ms Lennox is studying equine science at CSU in Wagga Wagga accompanied by her Warmblood horse, Dom. She hopes to graduate in December 2011.  

 

Through CSU Global, Charles Sturt University offers a range of support to increase the number of its student undertaking a broad range of international study experiences. Read more here.