The Greedy Wild Elephant Who Loves Sugarcane

Meet Fatty, the 35-year-old wild elephant from Chachoengsao province, Thailand, who’s developed quite a sweet tooth.  On December 29, this giant jungle resident emerged from the forest onto a busy road — but instead of snacking on jungle leaves or fruits, Fatty had his eyes set on something far sweeter: sugarcane.

Fatty is well-known in the area for his love of the sticky, sugary treats. As trucks carrying freshly harvested sugarcane from nearby fields roll past, the massive bull has a habit of walking directly in front of them, forcing the drivers to slow down. The moment the trucks stop, Fatty stretches his trunk into the trailers, helping himself to the sweet snacks meant for factories.

In one video, you can see the powerful elephant gorging on the sugarcane, enjoying the bounty like it’s the best meal of his life. Some truck drivers even had to swerve into the opposite lane to avoid being “raided” by the hungry giant.

Au Wanapin, an onlooker, shared: “This elephant is called ‘Fatty’ because of how much food he eats. He is about 35, male, and does not have tusks. He’s a wild elephant but he comes out of the woods every year in this area to wait for sugarcane trucks.”

Fatty is not the only elephant to have developed this “sweet habit.” It’s a tradition for a number of wild elephants in the area to seek out sugarcane trucks, drawn by the irresistible scent of the harvest.

Thailand is home to around 2,000 Asian elephants that roam freely through the country’s protected forests. Unlike African elephants, male Asian elephants, such as Fatty, tend to roam alone once they surpass 10 years of age, while females stay with their herds.

Fatty’s story is a testament to the cleverness and curiosity of wildlife, showing how even wild animals can learn to seek out the sweetest things life has to offer.