Elephant Refuge & Education Center
This centre gives refuge to domesticated elephants refuge and a sustainable existence to elephants forced to work on the streets as begging tools and tourist attractions, that have been roaming the streets of Bangkok and other cities.
Elephants are in trouble in Thailand! Not only the wild elephants, who face dangers such as poachers and loss of habitat, but also the domestic elephants. Whether it concerns to be animal welfare for the domestic elephants or wildlife conservation for the wild population, something needs to be done to stop the suffering of these magnificent creatures.
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.
The Wildlife Friends of Thailand currently run a program to keep the domestic elephants of the streets of Bangkok and other big cities, and support a pilot project where wild elephants are being kept in the forest near domestic elephants.
If you would like to see why we believe the EREC is probably the only option for many street elephants click on this link to see a movie on the fate of these elephants in Bangkok and other big cities…
As of September 2008, the EREC received a large plot of land donated by people in Australia for the elephants to live and roam around. The land plot which measures around 40,000 square meters is behind the Wildlife rescue centre bordering the creek, and has been fenced and enriched to keep the elephants as happy and safe as possible.
Volunteers are wanted to help out in the future caring for these beautiful creatures in cooperation with professional mahouts!
Volunteer Duties
As an elephant volunteer, 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 during the day, going out to collect food for them, walking with them into our beautiful lake to swim and cleaning their enclosure. The financial contribution you make to the centre supports the costs of caring for the elephants and for your food and accommodation.
The types and variety of duties will depend largely on the duration of stay of each volunteer and number and skills of volunteers participating. Some of the work is also seasonal and dependent upon available resources on-site at the time.
Although the work with these domesticated elephants is hands-on, WFFT does not support the riding of elephants – many of our rescued elephants have endured decades of backbreaking work carrying tourists in elephant camps and ‘attractions’, and the Elephant Refuge and Education Centre is their sanctuary, somewhere they no longer have to ‘perform’ or be treated unnaturally.
Volunteer requirements
Volunteers must have enthusiasm, compassion for animals, team spirit, and above all an interest in elephants. Volunteers must have a good level of fitness, which is particularly needed when going on food harvests. No animal experience is necessary, although representatives from relevant fields are more than welcome to contribute to the team.
Volunteers must be able to speak English to a good basic level.
Duration
The minimum stay for the Elephant Refuge and Education centre is 1 week. There is no maximum length of stay, and volunteers are welcome to extend their visit further once at the centre.
Application
You can ask for additional information about our projects, including any conditions for volunteering and costs. If you are interested in a volunteer position, please send an e-mail or letter of motivation via email to volunteer@wfft.org explaining your interest in the project, a brief paragraph about yourself and your proposed length of stay.
