Elephant Volunteer Project, Thailand

Program Description

As a volunteer at the Elephant Sanctuary in Mae Chaem, you will have the opportunity to care for elephants in the picturesque countryside in Northern Thailand. This sanctuary is a haven for worker elephants to leave the toxic city life and the dangers of trekking so that they can live out their lives in comfort. You will also be involved with launching education initiatives to the local community.

This sanctuary was created in 2011 in order to educate mahouts (elephants caretakers), locals, and visitors about the detrimental obstacles facing elephants in Thailand. This sanctuary not only “rents” elephants so that these peaceful animals can live in a comfortable environment while their owners still make money, it also rescues and rehabilitates local wildlife in order to release them into the wild. Tortoises, dogs, cats and other animals also call this sanctuary “home”.

Volunteers may be need to work with the local community by teaching English to children and anyone else who is interested in learning. The sanctuary employs locals to provide them with opportunities while supporting businesses and even growing seasonal crops in order to run a sustainable organization.

Volunteers will be required to:

- Walk with the elephants
- Bathe the elephants
- Prepare meals like fruit for the elephants (cleaning, cutting)
- Feed the elephants
- Cut grass and corn for the elephants
- Assist with various projects around the sanctuary to improve life for the elephants or the local villages

In addition, Eco-tourism and environmental conservation is promoted through planting trees, local education and community development. Volunteers have the opportunity to work together with the community and can join in on community projects, such as:
The sanctuary promotes eco-tourism by planning trees and engaging in education and community development. Volunteers will work with the local community to:

- Teach English
- Assist with educational programmes and outreach initiatives
- Plant trees and help with clean up days
- Provide soy milk to the elderly for nutrition
- Replace water pipes
- Place sand bags along the river banks to prevent flooding
- Help repair local houses

Highlights

Volunteers will be placed in a remote region of Thailand so that they will be immersed in the local Thai culture.
Volunteers can engage in activities in the local area
Volunteers will have an amazing opportunity to work with elephants

Qualifications

Volunteers should be over 17 years of age, easonably fit, and able to speak English.
Previous experience working with animals would be useful but is not required.
Volunteers should have a strong motivation to help and contribute to the community, and be able to cope with living in basic conditions.

Volunteer Types

What`s Included

Your payment covers all your food, bottled water and accommodation (either on site or in a local homestay) during the project, pick up and drop off in Chiang Mai, project training and supervision and WorkingAbroad Projects backup and placement support.