The Elephant Village was opened in 1973 as a sanctuary for former working elephants. These elephants, through reasons of injury or ill health, could no longer be used as a part of the backbone of heavy work in the jungles of Thailand. In addition, because of their diminishing natural habitat, it was no longer possible to return them to the wild. The Elephant Village thus provided and still provides these magnificent creatures with a safe haven, where they may live out their lives with dignity and freedom from fear.