Rescued Elephant Who Hates Water Still Takes Her Blind Best Friend Swimming

“She knows how much Alicia loves it.”

Alicia arrived at Wildlife Friends Foundation Thailand (WFFT) more than ready to start her new life. The blind elephant had been rescued from a trekking camp, where she’d been forced to work, and all she wanted to do was relax and make new friends. As soon as she met Malai Ngun, her wish came true.

Malai Ngun was also rescued from a trekking camp, so she knew all too well what Alicia had been through. As soon as she saw the new elephant arrive at the rescue, it was love at first sight, and she made it her mission to be by her side at all times.

“They became friends almost immediately,” Tom Taylor, operations manager at WFFT, told The Dodo. “Despite being blind, Alicia has a big personality. Malai has a gentle demeanor and is close friends with other elephants, but will more or less stay by Alicia all day and night. Whenever Alicia leaves her sight, Malai calls for her — we’ll often see Malai running to her friend.”

Alicia is pretty confident despite being blind, but she does need some help occasionally. Luckily, Malai is always there no matter what.

One of Alicia’s favorite activities in the world is swimming. Every day as she heads to the water, Malai is there ready to swim with her — even though she hates water.

“Most heart-warming of all is that Malai takes Alicia swimming — simply because she knows how much Alicia loves it,” Taylor said. “Whilst Malai isn’t a water baby, she will guide Alicia and make sure she is safe in the water.”

Malai deals with something she hates every day just to make sure her best friend is OK. It shows how her love for Alicia is unconditional and how lucky they are to have found each other.

Both Malai and Alicia had a rough start to life, but now they’re living out their golden years in peace. As long as they have each other, everything will always be OK.