The Elephant Friendly Project

Introduction:

The amount of forest in Thailand has decreased due to deforestation. With logging virtually banned in Thailand in the forests there is no longer much work for the domestic elephant which had been their main occupation for many years.

The elephant eats up to 100-200kg of food a day and this must be provided by her mahout, whose traditional occupation is to take care of their elephant. They live around 60-70 years so they must be cared for throughout the mahouts life and the elephant needs support if anything happens to him. Without forests there is less wild food available and the mahouts need to find another source of income in order to take care of their elephant and family.

Some mahouts bring their elephant to big cities like Bangkok and try to make money from tourists by begging on the street. However, the Bangkok streets are dangerous for elephants because of the numerous cars. Also in the city it is not always easy to find enough food everyday. Elephants can also damage the roads and can be dangerous towards citizens. Their mahouts are not always friendly, as some elephants are being kept under horrible circumstances.  They are jabbed with knives and spears, overworked and overdosed on amphetamines to increase their stamina.

About Project

In Thailand there are several projects that still need volunteers to help in the management of elephants is more about Chiang Mai, Lampang, Chiang Rai, Ayutthaya, Phuket, Surin, Buriram to help try to find better methods and mahout The additional cost in management such as drug costs for transporting the food or maintenance of residential buildingsfor the elephants.

We started this program for the care of volunteer first elephant in eastern Thailand. When 4-year ago the project with the name "The elephant mahout project" (click). The elephants problems can only be solved through the improvement in the mahout income status, as well as the elephant habitat and welfare. We begin training camp for the mahout to create understanding and nurture a love for the elephants, and not just think of the benefit of the money alone, also including environmental management within the elephant camp. We changed the name of project to The Elephant Friendly Project in 2008, and now we continue to work quietly with the project, which many people will not hear or know. However, we feel satisfied in what we do, and now the beginning of elephant camp in Pattaya is trying to do like us. We hope that there may be a good thing for the future of Thai elephants.

The Program

The Elephant Friendly Project provides volunteer with a great experience opportunity to work and get a basic understanding of the Thailand mahout and the older female elephants relationship with our mahout community program. You will care and feed elephants, give elephant bathing, take older female elephant for a walk around the camp, and cleanliness in the area. You will also learn how to ride elephants through forests and around the camp, as well as learn about different elephant techniques.

You will not only learn how to ride your elephant but also how to care of it and management including safe living environment for the female elephants and their mahout families within elephants camp. During your stay you will build up a bond with your elephant. You can learn about the life of the mahouts and join the various community or enjoy your with leisure time.

The Elephant Friendly Project has been developed in order to help the elephants and mahouts who live around Pattaya camp. By means of creating jobs and providing financial support we hope that they can stay together at the camp forever and may have the opportunity for an easy and pleasant future.

The project is situated in a very quiet area outside Pattaya city. It is cut off from the roads so that the elephants have a spacious area where they can eat, bathe and relax. Currently there are about 12 domestic elephants living here together with their mahouts. The elephants here are treated like friends and have been trained well by their mahouts. The elephants go for short walks with tourists that visit the park, and can in this way financially support the mahouts and the elephants.

• Activities during the day can vary but a few daily activities are standard :
  - Early wake up, around 6.30
  - Clean around the area and prepare food for the elephant
  - After breakfast training with the elephant
  - At lunchtime prepare food again for the elephant.
  - Optional English teaching to mahouts
  - Bathing, training with elephant
  - Optional Thai cooking in the evening

• Building, and maintaining vegetable garden

• Landscaping and Reforestation

• Constructing shelters for the elephants

• Contribute to fundraising efforts

Accommodation

Accommodation is very comfortable. You will stay in Green Jomtien studiost near the beach, a fully furnished resort 1 km away from the project. Included is air-conditioning, hot water and TV. You will share the room with another volunteer. 

Food

You will be served a variety of Thai local dishes 2 times a day. In the morning, bread and jam are also available. Sometimes you are requested to support with the cooking. Cold water, tea and coffee are free during the diners. Soft drinks and water can be purchased in a local shop at the project. 

Requirements

If you want to join this challenging program, you have to meet a few basic rules:  

• Minimum age of 17 years

• Besides working together with the elephant and Mahout, you are also expected to support with general activities like cooking and cleaning.

• Minimum stay of 1 week

• Maximum stay 8 week

• A normal level of fitness

• You need to respect the Thai culture, be open-minded and have a friendly attitude towards the local people

Participation Fee is 17,500.00 THB Per week

The Project includes:

• All fees for participating in the the volunteer friendly Project

• Resort or volunteer bamboo hut

• All meals on weekdays, coffee, tea and water during the meals (Breakfast and Lunch ). On Sundays only breakfast. There is a wide variety of places to eat cheaply nearby for dinner on these days

• English speaking guide and supervision

• Transportation from project to another community development/ building activities program

Not included in the price:

• Passport / visa fees

• Travel expenses within Thailand

• Travel, Cancellation and Health Insurance (all participants must be in possession of cover for all of these)

• Personal expenses i.e. laundry bills, telephone bills, souvenirs, internet, etc.  

What to bring

• Long sleeved tops/shirts and long trousers. Elephants have rough skin and you may be more comfortable in long trousers whilst riding. There are some mosquitos around the camp and long sleeves and trousers will protect you from them in the evenings. If you are coming in the dry, windy season November to February, please bring a warm jacket.

• If you would like to bring something to donate to the children at the local school, (5-12 years) things for educational or sporting purposesis much appreciated (school is from May to November).

• Shorts and T shirts for everyday wear.

• Lightweight rain coat or poncho for the rainy season.

• Shoes for every day use that can be easily slipped on and off 

• Camera/ Video recorder (Remember to pack your rechargers!!)
  Ordinary batteries can be bought in the local town.

• Cropped trousers and T shirts for every day wear.

N.B: It is the Thai custom to remove shoes before entering most shops and buildings!

• Favourite toiletries. Toiletries are available in the local town but they may not be the brands you are used to.For ladies requiring internal sanitary protection, these are not easily available and should be brought with you. Sanitary pads can be bought in the local town quite easily.

• Current Medications.

• Mosquito repellent.

• Sun cream and after sun.

• A love of animals and a spirit of adventure!!!!