The Elephant Conservation Center in northern Thailand is home to about four dozen domesticated Asian elephants and is operated by a branch of the Thai government. (Sherry Stern / Los Angeles Times)
Dara Molloy of Dublin signed up to be an honorary “Mahout” for a four-day program that involved training, cleaning, walking and bathing the center’s elephants. (Sherry Stern / Los Angeles Times)
Artwork created by the elephants is on sale at a gift shop. Pieces range from $15-30. (Sherry Stern / Los Angeles Times)
The elephants return from their daily 15-minute bath and head to a nearby showground for an afternoon performance. (Sherry Stern / Los Angeles Times)
An elephant channels his inner Rembrandt during a show. (Sherry Stern / Los Angeles Times)
