A baby elephant has become a star attraction at a farm in Thailand where he falls into the arms of tourists and demands to be cuddled.
The endearingly playful infant named Nampuu – which means ‘fountain’ in Thai – lives at the Patara Elephant Farm in the northern city of Chiang Mai.
Images of the encounters between Nampuu and unwitting tourists show visitors screaming in delight as the cheeky calf climbs on top of them, falls between their arms and wraps his trunk around their heads.
Instagrammer Paige Spice can be seen laughing as she is rolled around in the dirt by a playful Nampuu
Little Nampuu can’t wait to greet the tourists who visit the elephant farm. Sally, here, wanted to take him home!
Like any newborn baby, Nampuu liked to bite and chew… and when it’s your leg it can turn from ‘aww’ to ‘oww!’
Baby Nampuu climbs on top of tourists, falls between their arms and wraps his trunk around their heads
Images taken of the encounters between Nampuu and tourists show young women screaming half in terror and half in delight
Playful infant Nampuu, which means ‘Fountain’ in Thai, lives at the Patara Elephant farm in Chang Mai
During the visit to the farm, tourists can take part in an ‘Elephant Owner for the Day’ package tour. The tour allows them to learn all about what is involved in rearing and caring for elephants.
During the tour, the trainers explain to visitors the communication, health, feeding, bathing, and the temperament of the elephants.
According to the farm’s Facebook page, baby Nampuu is always supervised by his mother Ploy, just in case he becomes too unruly during playtime with tourists.
She also calls her baby boy to her with a rumbling sound when it is time for him to breastfeed.
Baby Nampuu couldn’t reach his mother’s breast for his milk, so the staff at the sanctuary built him a step
This little step, which is attached to his mothers leg, allows baby Nampuu to reach the milk he desires
During the visit to the farm, tourists can take part in a ‘Elephant Owner for the Day’ package tour
The farm have expressed their delight at the progress of their cuddly little star. They had noted he was born a lot smaller than normal newborns and were worried for his survival
The farm have expressed their delight at the progress of their cuddly little star. They had noted he was born a lot smaller than normal newborns and were worried for his survival.
In fact, Nampuu only weighed 148lbs when he was born, well under the 220lbs of most newborns upon delivery.
The farm even designed a little step so little Nampuu could reach his tall mother for a feed.
There’s nothing quite like hugging a baby elephant – although they’re not as soft as you’d like to think!
Nampuu only weighed 148lbs when he was born, well under the 220lbs of most newborns upon delivery
According to the farm’s Facebook page, baby Nampuu is always supervised by his mother Ploy, just in case he becomes too unruly during playtime with tourists