Longridge residents knit woollen blanket for Sri Nuan

Sue from Longridge volunteering with Sri Nuan at Elephant Nature Park in Thailand, alongside Longridge residents knitting a woollen blanket for her

At Longridge, life is shaped by the people who live here. One of our Monday morning craft groups is currently knitting a woollen blanket for a rescue elephant named Sri Nuan, who lives at Elephant Nature Park in Thailand.

The project began after a staff member shared her experience volunteering at the sanctuary. From there, residents wanted to find a practical way to help. The park suggested Sri Nuan as an elephant that would benefit directly from a wool blanket.

Sri Nuan, the rescue elephant the Longridge residents are making a woollen blanket for, at Elephant Nature Park in Thailand

About Sri Nuan

Sri Nuan has a long and challenging history.

She was born in 1962 and spent much of her early life working in logging and tourist trekking before being rescued in 2005. During those years she lost sight in one eye.

Despite this, she has become a gentle and steady presence at the sanctuary. She is known as a “nanny” elephant, often looking out for younger members of the herd. Today, she is the largest female elephant at the park and is recognised for her calm nature.

Why wool matters

There is a very practical reason behind the knitting.

As elephants age, they lose muscle and body condition, which makes it harder for them to stay warm. Elephant Nature Park uses wool blankets because wool breathes, holds warmth in outdoor conditions, and provides comfort for older elephants during cooler periods.

The sanctuary team explains that senior elephants need extra warmth as they age, and these blankets play an important role in their care.

A shared effort at Longridge

The project quickly caught on, with residents keen to help in whatever way they could, through both time and wool donations.

Some have donated wool, others have contributed their knitting skills, and many do a bit of both. Knitting takes place during Monday morning craft sessions in the village craft room, as well as at home.

Residents at Longridge working on wool squares for Sri Nuan’s blanket.

Some residents are experienced knitters, while others are picking up needles again after many years. The blanket is made one square at a time, with the pieces later joined together.

It’s a simple, hands-on project that has brought residents together around a shared purpose. Knitting continues each week as the blanket for Sri Nuan slowly takes shape.

We’ll share more updates and photos as the project continues.

If you’d like to read more about Sri Nuan and her story, you can do so here:

https://www.elephantnaturepark.org/meet-the-elephants/srinuan/