I know some of you are really interested in interacting with elephants and perhaps, trekking on them might even be on your bucket list! However, please DO NOT trek on them! There are various ethical ways of interacting with them too!
You can approach the following (Reid, 2014):
- Save The Elephant Foundation
Courtesy of Google Images (labeled for noncommercial reuse)
Founder Lek Chailert created Elephant Nature Park (ENP) in Northern Thailand to rescue these mistreated elephants from tourist trade and provide them with the life they deserve. ENP aims to increase awareness and promote sustainable elephant-friendly tourism. On 250 acres of wilderness, this park cares for 36 elephants!
During these day trips to ENP, one can feed the elephants with fruits, watch them play in the mud, walk with them and shower them!
Courtesy of Google Images (labeled for noncommercial reuse)
There are no elephant rides, tricks or elephant paintings provided in ENP because these elephants have been rescued from such places (Karsten, n.d.).
- Boon Lott’s Elephant Sanctuary (BLES)
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BLES is passionately devoted to create a safe and secure haven for the rescued elephants to live in. Founder Katherine Connor founded BLES in fondest memory of a baby elephant Boon Lott, which meant survivor in Thai.BLES strives to rescue and protect Thailand elephants from abuse and ultimate extinction. They offer support and advice to local elephant owners so that they are able to provide for the elephants too.Moreover, BLES is constantly vigilant to provide relief to these animals and each rescued elephant is attached to a mahout to work individually in helping the elephant.Lastly, they intend to host trained professional and veterinary students to support the elephants and to support the full-time staff. Furthermore, BLES clinic will grant opportunities for veterinary students to study about elephant care and medicine (Boon Lott’s Elephant Sanctuary, n.d.).
- ElephantsWorld
Credits: Desruelles, J. [Jean-Claude Desruelles]. (2014, Aug 31). Elephants World (Thailand) [Video file]. Retrieved from https://youtu.be/_-GypagNkzQMotto: We work for the elephants, the elephants do not work for us.
Founded in 2008, ElephantsWorld is a refuge for sick, rescued and abused elephants to receive the right amount of care they deserve. They are a non-profit organisation who are funded exclusively by visitors through donations and every cent earned goes to helping these elephants.
Visitors are invited to help plant food in the fields to maintain the elephants’ appetite and cook sticky rice for the older friends before joining them for shower time in River Kwai (ElephantsWorld, n.d.).
- Wildlife Friends Foundations Thailand (WFFT)
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WFFT has several objectives (Wildlife Friends Foundations Thailand, n.d.):
- Rescue wild animals
They provide a sanctuary for animals who need help. They aim to provide the highest standards of living and a life similar to the wild as much as possible. - Educate people
Raising awareness about cruelty of animals and campaign against illegal trade of wild animals and discourage the use of them for entertainment. - Prevent hunting and promote conservation
Teaching the public about appreciation of nature and protect wild animals and their rainforest habitat. - Gather knowledge
In order to release a program for those animals that qualify to be released into the wild, gathering of knowledge is crucial. - Set up and join activities
Joining charitable organisations and authorities for the public’s benefit.
- Rescue wild animals
- The Surin Project
This project cooperates with Save Elephant Foundation and the Surin Provincial Administrative Organisation (SPAO). SPAO approached the foundation to help create an ideal elephant sanctuary to provide more than 180 elephants, which are in Surin Elephant Study Center, to roam freely.The onus is on the Surin Project to help improve these elephants’ living conditions and allows them to roam freely and have naturally. Volunteers are brought to the project for a week or more to allow them to work with the mahouts, plant grass and build shelters for elephants (The Surin Project, n.d.). - NOT trekking on elephants and attending form of elephant entertainment.