About this trip
Volunteer at an elephant sanctuary south of Bangkok that allows these majestic creatures to live chain-free in natural surroundings! This project takes place at a refuge in Thailand for rescued and injured elephants.
Program Highlights:
Volunteer and care for rescued elephants on an ethical program
Observe the majestic elephants in a near natural jungle habitat
Live and work with volunteers from around the world
Visit Thailand’s largest national park and the beaches of Cha-Am and Hua-Hin on your time off
Location of the Project: Phetchaburi
Project length: 2 – 12 weeks
Group size: 1 - 10
Arrival Airport: Bangkok Airport (BKK) or Don Mueang Airport (DMK)
Volunteer Work: Preparing food and feeding, observations, maintenance and walking with the elephants to forage
Age: Min age of 18
Number of Volunteers: Up to 60 international volunteers. Please note that this sanctuary has many employees and long-term volunteers whom you will be assisting. A$1,050 Deposit: A$262
Thailand – Elephant Forest Refuge - 2 Weeks
As a volunteer on this project, you will assist an ethical refuge that provides rescued and injured elephants the opportunity to live chain-free. A renown local non-profit organization created this impressive sanctuary for elephants to retire after a strenuous life in the tourism industry. Forested land around the rescue center allows elephants the chance to roam around in near natural surroundings. The largest elephant enclosure is 18 hectares with natural trees, lakes, and grazing areas. This gives them space to move around and socialise with other elephants.
Volunteers will spend their time with the mahouts (elephant handlers), following a daily schedule of elephant care.
Some of your tasks may include:
-
Cleaning and maintaining enclosures, pools and mud baths
-
Creating enrichments to stimulate our elephants
-
Observing elephant behavior in a natural habitat
-
Harvesting plant matter, including banana trees and grasses to feed to our elephants
-
Feeding the elephants
-
Washing the elephants – when possible
-
Walking the elephants to the forest to allow them to forage on natural foods – when possible
-
Caring for the dogs that live on site
Please be aware the Rescue Center is strictly hands off. Volunteers will have no physical interaction with animals but will provide the essential daily and long-term needs of the animals.
Work Schedule:
Your day starts at 6:30 at the Elephant Kitchen and ends around 17:00 with several breaks, including breakfast and lunch. Volunteers work 6 days a week with one day off. The work can be physically demanding, yet is well worth it. The volunteer co-coordinators will assign you each day to work-groups and tasks. Each participant can work at their own pace, according to their strengths and abilities. Volunteer coordinators will be around to answer questions, and monitor and support each group throughout the day.Care for the animals is required 365 days a year. However, there is time off during and after work, and volunteers also get a day off each week (subject to change). We encourage you to get out and experience local sites!
-
