The Project
The Forest Thailand Elephant Sanctuary enables volunteers to make a tangible difference amid a backdrop of beauty, wonder and exploration. By assisting the conservation team and fellow volunteers, this project enables displaced and abused elephants to integrate back into their natural habitat. This life-changing experience will see you provide sanctuary for one of the world’s most endangered species alongside various buffalo, birds, cats and dogs that require rescuing. Here are a means of gaining a greater cultural appreciation within Asia whilst contributing to one of the great moral causes of our time.
The Sanctuary is located 60km north of Chiang Mai. Complete with comfortable accommodation, fantastic local cuisine and friendly company, you will be situated in the heart of Thailand’s thriving wildlife.
The Location
Thailand is widely considered to be Southeast Asia’s ultimate tropical paradise. Mixing modern architecture with ancient cultural landscapes and traditions, this luxurious part of the world continues to be one of the true tourist hotspots all year round.
Chiang Mai is the largest city in the North and offers a range of sites and activities for explorers young and old. Rich with fragrances, local delicacies, gardens, ruins and museums, the 14 million annual visitors are treated to an array of splendour amid the revitalised Mae Ping River.
Your Contribution
- Feed and bathe elephants
- Clearing elephant droppings
- General elephant care
- Cleaning and preparing elephant food
- Constructing and maintaining mud pits
- Helping local villages
- Caring for dogs and other pets
- Assisting staff with mahouts while undertaking various educational tasks with park staff
Volunteers will work parallel with our expert conservation team and fellow volunteers. From agricultural activities to community care and general maintenance and sustainability endeavours, your Chiang Mai experience will be a daily education through various hands-on tasks. Volunteers will be working closely with the elephants.
Conditions Onsite
Volunteers will work closely with elephants.
Be wary that you will need rain gear between June to October and warm weather clothing between November and February.
Please bring the following if you are able: Overnight bag with change of clothes for several days, hat, sunscreen, sandals/flip-flops, clothing for river bathing (not bikinis due to the Buddist culture, towel, shoes for walking, camera, bug repellent, flashlight, gardening gloves, short wellies or similar in wet season (Student Vets only - Coursework materials).
Thailand has rich, biological diversity. However, sadly increasingly, human pressures such as overexploitation, habitat loss and habitat degradation, are pushing many of Thailand creatures to the brink of extinction. In Thailand, as in every country in the world, animals are abused and exploited for profit and human gratification. There are many examples of animal exploitation for the tourist industry, such as animals performing in degrading shows and elephant riding camps. There is also a thriving illegal trade in wild animals for pets. O2E ask that volunteers do not engage in activities that involve animal exploitation.
Please Note
The second instalment of your project fees is due within 1 week after you paid the deposit on Volunteer World. This is a total of $495 AUD and comes off your balance. The balance is due 90 days prior to travel. For all further information about the fees, please scroll down to the section "Program Fees“.
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