SaoYai and Mae Lanna are the first to head up river and onto the mountain.

SaoYai and Mae Lanna are the first to head up river and onto the mountain where they spend the day browsing in the jungle. Mae Lanna used to work in legal logging on coconut palm and rubber tree plantations in the south of Thailand. Her name refers to her new beginning of the Lanna kingdom of Thailand. She is is 60% blind, most likely from slingshot when working in logging. She is best friend of Saoyai who used to work in illegal logging and moved to trekking camp as an elephant show. Mae Lanna has had two babies and they were taken away. Sao Yai is intense,emotional and dramatic. She despises heavy machinery and can be unpredictable with other elephants, so Sao Yai and her friend go to a quiet place away from the daily activities each day. This is such a pure joy to watch the elephants enjoy their peaceful life simply and so beautifully.