Francesca Capozzi After 35 years of forced labor, Silk the elephant has been freed from captivity and taken to a sanctuary where she will finally live in peace.
@Planting Peace – Following Giants/Instagram
No more forced labor. No more psychological and physical stress. No more heavy chains cutting into her legs, sharp sticks striking her skin, or days of deprivation. After decades of exploitation, the life of this Asian elephant is about to change forever—even if she doesn’t yet know it.
Her name is Silk, a female Asian elephant who, like far too many of her kind, has known only captivity. For almost 35 years she was forced either to carry tourists on her back or to haul massive logs, never allowed to resist the commands of her handler. That was the reality of her life, a kind of living hell that stretched across decades.
The man behind her rescue
At the end of August, Aaron—a longtime elephant advocate with the non-profit Planting Peace—shared Silk’s story online, describing the heartbreaking conditions she had endured for so long.
For his birthday, Aaron made an unusual request. Instead of gifts, he asked for donations to free Silk from her chains. As he explained, “I don’t want anything for myself, just support to rescue this elephant.”
His mission is ambitious: to save as many elephants as possible, aiming for at least one rescue each year, tied symbolically to his birthday. This year, it was Silk’s turn. And thanks to the generosity of his supporters, his wish was granted.
Just a few days after Aaron’s video went live, enough funds were raised to remove Silk’s harness for good. That moment marked the end of her servitude—and the beginning of something entirely new.
A new life begins
The transition was captured in a moving video: Silk’s last journey in captivity, taken not toward another owner but toward freedom. She was transported by truck at sunset, the fading light marking the close of one chapter and the opening of another.
Her destination was Following Giants, a sanctuary in Thailand dedicated to rehabilitating elephants rescued from abuse and exploitation. Unlike tourist camps, this refuge allows elephants to live in their natural environment. Visitors may observe, but never touch.
Upon arrival, Silk was placed in a small, quiet area and offered all the fruit and vegetables she could eat. The journey had run late and a few complications disrupted the plan, but the staff knew that patience is part of healing.
Then came the decisive moment: the removal of Silk’s chains. Some of the metal links were incredibly tough to break, yet she remained calm, almost serene, as if sensing that the people around her were there not to hurt her but to help.
The slow rhythm of freedom
Everything in the sanctuary feels different for Silk—new scents, new sounds, new paths, and above all, a rhythm no longer dictated by commands but by freedom. It will take time for her to adapt, to rebuild trust, to rediscover what it means to live without fear. But at Following Giants, there is no rush.
Here, elephants are free to express themselves naturally. They decide when to interact with others, when to wander alone, and how to spend their days. For Silk, that means no more orders, no more blows, no more forced rides.
Her future is hers alone now. And after a lifetime of servitude, “sweet Silk,” as her rescuers call her, finally has a chance to be nothing more—and nothing less—than an elephant.
Source: Planting Peace/Instagram
