Elephants in Thailand
Thailand is home to both wild and domesticated populations of the Asian elephants. A domestic elephant is one who has been captured in the wild or bred in captivity and tamed to live and work with a mahout (elephant keeper), in tourism or logging industry. Today, Thailand’s wild population of elephants are struggling for survival. The nearby mountain forests are primary forest and in the valleys and lowlands, secondary forest. The wild elephants of Thailand (of which we estimate, there are only around 2200 left) live in open grass fields and dense rainforests spread over the country.
Historically, domestic elephants have been used mainly in the logging industry, ironically and unwillingly helping to destroy the very habitat they need to survive. After the ban on logging, most of these elephants have ended up being used for the tourism industry or have had to make a living begging on the streets of big cities. Walking day and night on these dirty and traffic-congested streets is dangerous and unhealthy and very often, these elephants end up being involved in horrific traffic accidents. Regrettably, in Thailand, there are no laws to prevent this abuse and mistreatment, therefore there is an urgent need to help these animals. This is where our volunteers come in.
When volunteering with elephants, you will be taught everything you need to know about the care of these magnificent animals. You will work hands-on with the elephants, washing them, feeding them, going out to collect food for them, and cleaning their enclosures.
Short and long-term volunteering stays are possible; however, volunteers are required to make a minimum commitment of one week. As a general rule, stays less than a week is not permitted.