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Excellent 4.88rating (1325)

Thailand Elephant Volunteers

location
1 - 4 weeks  ·  Age 18 - 50+
Verified
Volunteer project with the highest quality. This project sets unprecedented standards in quality - an unparalleled level of excellence.

Highlights

  • A unique experience to work with animals on a top conservation project.
  • Enjoy a dynamic and young team! 80% of volunteers are 18-22 years old.
  • Learn about some of the pressures & difficulties faced by Thailand’s wildlife.

Highlights

  • A unique experience to work with animals on a top conservation project.
  • Enjoy a dynamic and young team! 80% of volunteers are 18-22 years old.
  • Learn about some of the pressures & difficulties faced by Thailand’s wildlife.
  • Experience a captivating & dynamic culture by volunteering in Thailand.
  • Explore some of the world’s most magnificent temples in your free time.

  • You don't have to pay anything yet

    Especially good for

    Age 18+
    Singles
    Groups

    About the program

    Work closely with rescued Asian elephants in this inspiring elephant sanctuary in Thailand. If you love elephants, this experience is not to be missed!

    As an elephant sanctuary volunteer in Thailand, you will have the unique chance to work behind the scenes to care for elephants. Eager and passionate volunteers are required to assist with the general upkeep of the project throughout the year. The centre works to rescue and rehabilitate elephants ...

    About the program

    As an elephant sanctuary volunteer in Thailand, you will have the unique chance to work behind the scenes to care for elephants. Eager and passionate volunteers are required to assist with the general upkeep of the project throughout the year. The centre works to rescue and rehabilitate elephants within Thailand. With our team on this Thailand volunteer program, you will have an amazing chance to help care for these gentle giants.

    BACKGROUND TO THE ELEPHANT PROGRAM

    Thailand is home to both populations of wild and domesticated populations of the Asian elephant. The domestic population is sadly made up of animals that have been caught from their natural habitat or bred in captivity. These animals have been trained/broken to live and work in the tourist or logging industry.

    Today, Thailand’s wild elephant population is struggling for survival. The wild elephant population of Thailand is estimated at 2,200, living in open grasslands and dense rainforests spread over the country. Historically, domestic elephants have been used in the logging industry. In turn, they have ironically and unwillingly helped to destroy the very habitat they rely on to survive.

    After the ban on logging in 1989, most of the logging elephants ended up being used within the tourism industry. Others have been used to make a living by begging on the streets of big cities. Walking day and night on these dirty and traffic-congested streets is detrimental to the elephant’s health and is simply unnatural. Street-begging elephants often end up being involved in road traffic accidents. This commonly results in fatalities for both the elephant and the mahout.

    Unfortunately, in Thailand, there are currently no laws to prevent this abuse and mistreatment. Therefore there is an urgent need to help these animals. This is where our participants come in. This sanctuary has been created for elephants to retire and be given the respect these amazing creatures deserve. Our international participants help support the centre, assisting and leading different tasks to help rehabilitate and home these gentle giants.

    ELEPHANT VOLUNTEER PLACEMENT

    WFFT - If you wish to be a responsible volunteer, working ethically with elephants, then this is the place to volunteer. This wildlife volunteering abroad project allows you to learn more about them, and the problems they face and be part of the solution. The forested land around the rescue centre gives rescued elephants the chance to roam around in near-natural surroundings. Large pieces of land have been purchased to make these forests and grasslands similar to their natural habitat. The large elephant enclosures allow the elephants the space to move around and socialise with other elephants. Each enclosure can be up to 5 hectares in size, with natural trees, lakes and grazing areas. No elephant is ever chained up, day or night.

    The rescue centre provides elephants with the freedom they deserve in a safe and natural environment. Our team provides lifelong veterinary care to those who need it, as well as the best husbandry and diet. As an elephant sanctuary volunteer, you will be taught everything needed to take care of these captivating creatures. A volunteer with elephants in Thailand will prepare food, create enrichment items, clean and maintain enclosures, and harvest plant matter. Common meals for elephants include banana trees and grass. You may also be lucky enough to walk the elephants between pieces of land!

    When volunteering in Thailand with elephants, our coordinators will assign participants to groups each day. The groups are managed by team leaders - longer-term experienced participants who assist and guide their teams throughout daily tasks.

    OTHER THINGS TO CONSIDER VOLUNTEERING IN THAILAND

    Return Airport Transfer - Your return airport transfer is not included in your Program Fee. Our local team can help arrange onward transfers to the airport or an alternative destination from the volunteer accommodation. Making specific arrangements once in Thailand provides more flexibility as plans can often change and participants may be on similar flight plans. The costs depend on your method of transport and your final destination. This can often be split across multiple participants if you are travelling with someone else on the program.

    Hands-Off - Please be aware the elephant conservation volunteer work in Thailand promotes a hands-off experience. Volunteer work with elephants in Thailand will involve little physical interaction with animals. The project tries to provide a natural experience for elephants rather than an opportunity to pet the animals. Instead, elephant volunteers in Thailand will provide the essential daily and long-term needs of the animals. This includes activities such as feeding, cleaning enclosures, and providing stimulation in the form of behavioural and environmental enrichments. This means the project is there to provide a true conservation experience and the elephant's welfare is at the heart of the experience. Many elephant projects in Thailand are advertised as a "volunteer" experience but involve touristy activities such as riding and scrubbing elephants in the river. This project is completely different and true in their approach to conservation. However, there are some instances where volunteers touch the elephants as part of the volunteer role only when necessary.

    Physically & Emotionally Demanding - The work as an elephant conservation volunteer in Thailand is incredibly demanding. Participants must, therefore, be fit in both physical and mental health to complete the project. Before committing to the program, individuals are encouraged to reach out to a member of the PMGY staff should they have concerns.

    During volunteer work with elephants in Thailand, each participant will have their own pace, strengths and weaknesses. You are asked to kindly respect that not everyone will have the same abilities - individuals may work at different paces. Everyone in the Thailand elephant sanctuary volunteer program is here to help and will make their unique contributions.

    Additional Tasks - All participants volunteering in Thailand with elephants will be asked to assist in additional tasks outside of project hours. This is to help run the Volunteer House and include activities such as "house duty" and "doggie duty". Typically, two people per day are chosen to help with each. House duty involves ensuring all areas are kept tidy each day and some common housework is completed. Doggie duty involves caring for some of the dogs that live at the Volunteer House. This involves washing, feeding and walking the dogs.

    Save Some Time to Travel - The volunteer projects in Thailand provide a very "volunteer-focused" experience where you are involved in the project for 6 days a week and have 1 day off. We recommend participants reserve time after their program for independent travel as this program does not have a traditional weekend travel culture. During your day off you will be able to visit the local beach, nearby caves and waterfalls. However, participants will not be able to travel too far afield on their day off.



    Typical day

    YOUR VOLUNTEER ROLE & TYPICAL WORKING DAY

    As a volunteer in Thailand, you are required to support and assist with the day-to-day operations of the elephant conservation project. This includes (but is not limited to): preparing and distributing food, preparing and distributing behavioural enrichments, ...

    Typical day

    YOUR VOLUNTEER ROLE & TYPICAL WORKING DAY

    As a volunteer in Thailand, you are required to support and assist with the day-to-day operations of the elephant conservation project. This includes (but is not limited to): preparing and distributing food, preparing and distributing behavioural enrichments, assisting with environmental enrichments, cleaning the land, and general maintenance, including maintaining forest areas.

    On this Thailand elephant sanctuary volunteer program, the animal volunteering day starts at 6:30am. The Volunteer House is where all the organisation and orientation of participants is based. On the Thailand elephant sanctuary volunteer program, you will normally finish work around 5pm. There will be several breaks throughout the day for breakfast, lunch, water and toilet breaks. Participants are expected to work 6 days a week with one day off. The Volunteer House is based on-site at the rescue centre. Although volunteer work with elephants in Thailand is very physically and mentally demanding, the result is always well worth it. Volunteering in Thailand with elephants is tremendously rewarding.

    As a volunteer with elephants in Thailand, you will stay on-site at the wildlife centre. This means that external transport is not required. Any required transport for the needs of the project will be included in your Program Fee.


    Free-time activities

    The volunteer in Thailand wildlife rescue project cares for over 500 animals, including bears, elephants, tigers, gibbons, macaques, loris and birds. There’s also an elephant rescue program where the elephants live chain-free. The centre gives shelter to maltreated and neglected wild animals. ..

    Free-time activities

    The volunteer in Thailand wildlife rescue project cares for over 500 animals, including bears, elephants, tigers, gibbons, macaques, loris and birds. There’s also an elephant rescue program where the elephants live chain-free. The centre gives shelter to maltreated and neglected wild animals. Many of these animals are rehabilitated and released back to the wild. The Wildlife Rescue Centre is the perfect place for volunteering with animals.

    Care for the animals is required 365 days a year and volunteers are required to participate in the project for 6 days a week to help with the general upkeep of the wildlife. However, in your free time it is worth a trip to the local village there are markets, restaurants and small shops for you to explore.

    As our volunteers will testify, the wider travel opportunities are extremely important to the whole experience and it is something we certainly recommend. Our local team are able to arrange activities, transportation and accommodation but please note this is usually an independent experience outside of the core program.


    Requirements

    Requirements

    Minimum Age: 18 years

    In order to join the program you need to be at least 18 years old on the program start date. There might be exemptions if you can provide the permission of your legal guardian(s) or if your are accompanied by your parents.

    Language Skills

    You need to speak English (basic level)

    Criminal Background Check

    required

    Nationality Restrictions

    No restrictions. Helping hands from all over the world are welcome.

    Other Skills

    You should also be physically fit, as volunteering overseas can be quite strenuous. If you have any medical/mental health conditions that may affect your participation overseas then these must be declared to us during your online application.

    Time Commitment

    Your helping hand will be required on Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday, Friday and Saturday from 06:30 - 17:00

    What's Included

    What's Included

    On-site Services

    • Accommodation 
    • Meals (Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner)
    • Airport Pick Up
    • In-Country Orientation
    • 24 Hour Support

    Airport Pickup at Suvarnabhumi Airport

    You should arrive into Suvarnabhumi International Airport (airport code BKK) or Don Muang International Airport (airport code DMK) on the Sunday. The airport pickup is available between the hours of 6am and 2pm.

    On arrival a member of our local team will be at the waiting area for you holding a sign with your name on it. They will drive you straight to the centre where you can relax and settle in. This journey takes around 3 hours depending on traffic.

    Accommodation

    In the Thailand volunteer program, you will live in one of our Volunteer Houses. All houses are located on the same campus. The accommodation is based in the region of Phetchaburi, in southern Thailand. Housing is based on the same grounds as the elephant conservation project rather than in a town. However, there are nearby villages within walking distance for convenience stores. There is also a small shop on the same site as the project that sells snacks, drinks and souvenirs.

    As a volunteer in Thailand, you will be living with other international participants. Volunteers in Thailand stay in European style, concrete and brick bungalows. Each room houses on average 2-3 people. The rooms are usually single-sex, however, there can be exceptions for couples, friends and families if requested enough time in advance. Fresh linen is provided weekly during your stay on the experience. Bathrooms at the accommodation are communal, with a western-style toilet and shower. Each room has a fan.

    Free use of Wi-Fi is available in certain areas of the Volunteer Accommodation to check emails and social media. This can be intermittent, therefore volunteers in Thailand should also purchase a local SIM card in-country to use with an unlocked mobile phone. Throughout the accommodation, there are two main communal areas for international participants to relax and socialise. This is also where the volunteer work is coordinated each morning. There is a local laundry service available at the accommodation. Alternatively, there is some but limited space to perform hand-washing. Individuals on a volunteer trip to Thailand are recommended to bring a small padlock. Any valuables can be stored with our local team, however, participants are encouraged to only bring essential items during their volunteer work in Thailand. There is fridge space within the accommodation for participants to cool items they need to keep chilled. Please note that power cuts are fairly commonplace in Thailand although they tend not to last more than a couple of hours.

    The Volunteer Houses are located on the same grounds as our local coordinators. Although they will not be based within the houses, they are accessible if needed. Our accommodation is on the same grounds as our volunteer placement. However, the centre covers acres of land. This means that when your project is not in walking distance from the accommodation, our local team will transport you to and from the project each day. The cost of this service is included in your Program Fee.

    Food & Beverages

    All your meals are provided during your stay in Thailand. All meals are prepared by the local team. Meals are predominantly traditional and local Thai cuisine. There are western meals provide on a weekly basis.

    Clean drinking water is also provided in a number of locations on-site for volunteers.

    Our team will do their best to cater for any dietary requirements but there may be instances where you may need to purchase alternative ingredients at your own expense.

     

    Internet Access

    Good access at the project site
    You don't have to pay anything yet

    What's NOT included?

    What's NOT included?

    Flight Tickets

    The nearest airport is Suvarnabhumi Airport (BKK) in Bangkok. We assist you to find cheap flights to Thailand. FIND CHEAP FLIGHTS

    Travel Insurance

    Going abroad is an adventure and it is always best to be prepared. Sudden illness or injury, cancellation or theft - a travel insurance for Thailand provides security and is a plus to have. GET A QUOTE

    Vaccines

    If you are intending to volunteer in Thailand you should seek medical advice before starting your social journey. Check your required vaccinations for Thailand. VACCINE CHECKER

    Details on arrival

    This program starts every Sunday year-round

    Availability
    Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec

    Program fees

    1 week (min. stay) 709€
    2 weeks 1,046€
    3 weeks 1,329€
    4 weeks (max. stay) 1,612€
    Average fees 555€/week

    Program fees

    555€ per week 1 - 4 weeks Age 18 - 50+

    Payment methods

    Visa Master Card Maestro American Express PayPal

    NO CREDIT CARD FEES


    Duration

    1 - 4 weeks

    Deposit

    Reserve your spot with just a few clicks and a small, secure deposit. You can pay by credit card, PayPal, or other convenient methods.


    Final Payment

    You’ll agree on the final payment method with your local organization during the application process. This final payment is only due closer to the start of your trip.

    You don't have to pay anything yet
    4.9
    Travelers’ Choice
    One of the most loved volunteer experiences, according to travelers

    Location

    Asia > South East Asia > Thailand > Phetchaburi

    Meet your project coordinator

    Josh
    1325
    reviews
    4.88
    Excellent
    2011
    Founded

    Verified

      Excellent response rate
    Spoken languages: English
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    Travel dates

    1. - 1. Jan 1

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