A rescued elephant briefly enjoys its first walk without chains after 41 years

A video of the “happiest” elephant walking without chains for the first time after more than four decades of captivity has gone viral on TikTok.

The clip posted by Aaron Jackson (@planting_peace) shows an elephant named Mare Noi walking along a dirt road. Since being shared on August 19, the touching moment has amassed over 1.5 million views and touched the hearts of viewers around the world.

“You are looking at the world’s newest free elephant,” a man says in the video as he walks next to Mare Noi. “This wonderful girl has been imprisoned in chains for 41 years and this is her first time being released.”

The clip includes a note that reads, “Her first walk without chains in 41 years,” as Mare Noi takes confident steps, a moment of liberation after years of captivity.

Mare Noi was used for logging and farming for most of its life, which included closure and work. The caption under the post reads: “It has been used for logging and farming throughout its life. She had been waiting for this day for a long time. She will have 500 acres to roam freely in the Boon Lott Elephant Sanctuary.”

The sanctuary, located in northern Thailand, is known for rescuing and rehabilitating elephants that have been exploited or abused, providing them with a peaceful place for the rest of their lives.

The sanctuary’s commitment to Mare Noi allowed her to experience a freedom she had not known for decades.

“She’s doing a great job,” the man says, admiring Mare Noi’s enthusiasm. “I can see she’s going really, really fast because she’s used to the chains on her legs. She’s not used to this.”

Mare Noi’s story is not unique to Southeast Asia, where thousands of elephants have been used for labor or tourism for centuries.

ElephantVoices, a California-based elephant welfare charity, says: “In the past, captured elephants were sent to war and used for heavy logging and construction work, but the Industrial Revolution replaced them with machines. Currently, elephants are captured and/or kept in captivity mainly for our entertainment.”

The organization estimates that between 15,000 and 20,000 elephants live in captivity around the world, often in difficult conditions. They are used in traveling circuses, placed in small enclosures in zoos, or transported tourists on hikes, among other exploitative practices. Captive elephants face chronic health problems from long-term confinement and abuse, and many endure “incredible brutality” to be tamed for human control, ElephantVoices claims.

Research also confirms the dramatic impact of captivity on elephants. A study of Asian elephants from logging camps in Burma, published in Nature communication in August 2018 found that elephants captured and tamed at an older age had significantly higher mortality rates than elephants captured at a young age. The study also found that even years after capture, elephants were at risk of premature death due to the trauma of their experiences.

But for Mare Noi, the road ahead seems much clearer. With 500 acres of sanctuary land to explore, she will be able to move around freely – something she has been deprived of for over 40 years. The final note superimposed on the viral video reads: “This freedom prop is looking good, Mare Noi.”

“The Happiest Elephant”

This emotional moment touched viewers around the world. TikTok users started taking to the comments section to express their joy and sadness at the same time.

One commenter, Melissa, wrote: “41 years?!?!?!!! My heart hurts! I can’t wait to see him transform into the happiest elephant he deserves!”

Another user, Alex Alvarez, added: “You can see relief and peace on her face. It’s amazing.”

Jenn Coleman wrote: “Oh sweet girl. I’m surprised she isn’t more nervous… in her new surroundings.”

Sandra called the moment “great,” while smith.rissa noted Mare Noi’s “happy earmuffs” as she enjoyed her newfound freedom.

Newsweek reached out to the original poster for comment via TikTok and email. The video has not been independently verified.

Do you have a travel video or story you’d like to share? Let us know via [email protected] and your story could be featured Newsweek.