physically challenging at times; however, it is definitely doable for anyone motivated to help elephants in Thailand and support an ethical elephant sanctuary. travel. and play in the mud. Hospitalis the worlds first elephant hospital located in MaeYao National Reserve, Lampang. Likewise, bathing with a hundred gawking tourists probably isnt such a relaxing experience for the elephant. In Thailand, it costs an average of $40 USD to feed a fully grown elephant. Various groups advocating captive elephant welfare were also created. Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. By the 1990s, Thailand saw a huge increase in tourism. Kindred Spirit Elephant Foundation runs it since 2016. A camp that doesnt offer any type of back information on their elephants is likely there for profit or for more entertainment purposes. Great Guide! 1. Natalie at Phuket Elephant Jungle Sanctuary Vegan food, culture, and elephants are probably the top three reasons Marissa and I had Thailand at the top of our list for this trip. You may think the price you pay to visit an elephant sanctuary in Thailand just goes to line the pockets of people. From informative videos to passionate staff as well as a short tour, it is a great place to visit and spend an hour or so while in Lampang. The sanctuary rescues, retires and rehabilitates elephants who have spent their lives suffering within the trekking and logging industries. Together they work hard to ensure the safety and welfare of animals across Thailand. The sanctuary also plant trees in the surrounding area. That means virtually no contact with elephants i.e. Historically, the relationship between Thai culture and elephants is quite a contradiction. Promoting people to care for and respect wildlife is the key. There are currently over 20 elephants here. Samui Elephant Sanctuary is a perfect choice for These include walking with the elephants, bathing the on-site dogs, repairing elephant pens, collecting food and more. Even fully trained captive elephants are sometimes hobbled with chains to prevent them from escaping or harming tourists. Thailand, it's the right place to go. Set in 30 acres of stunning tropical jungle, there is plenty of space and biodiversity for the elephants who are lucky enough to retire to Phuket Elephant Sanctuary. Alternatively, you can just choose another camp altogether. like a real exotic experience, for which I came to Thailand!". As the park is located off the beaten tourist path, it's an excellent opportunity to see rural Thailand and not-touristic areas in an exclusive way. Thai elephants originate from around the Northern part of Thailand around Mae Hong Son, near the border with Myanmar. Thanks for reading Anthony! Full description. The organisations are trustworthy, so you know that you are doing good by visiting. Located on the edge of a nature reserve in beautiful Phang Nga province, Phang Nga Elephant Elephant owners cant release domesticated elephants because its actually illegal under Thai Law. More than 85 elephant camps were closed, upwards of 5000 mahouts and other elephant camp staff lost their jobs, and some of the elephant centers that led the way in promoting good elephant welfare practice are now scraping by on bank loans and donations from concerned tourists. It is a necessary evil, I guess. Witness the elephants revel in their newfound freedom as they play, explore their jungle habitat, and communicate with each other through trumpeting. I actually had a feeling that something was wrong; I felt some kind of moral discomfort. However, you are often allowed to feed the elephants and bathe them. Elephant sanctuaries are now vastly popular, in both number and in popularity with tourists. It means that the elephants are not being used for entertainment. Chiang Mai, Thailand Features animals Contact Suggest edits to improve what we show. Friends of the Asian Elephant (FAE) Since 2020, Intrepid Travel has only offered trips in Thailand that help support the elephants and mahouts impacted by its 2014 decision to stop selling elephant rides. Having won various awards for their efforts in sustainability and animal welfare, Elephant Hills is an ideal choice when looking for ethical elephant sanctuaries in Thailand. But, you can foster an elephant of your choice and support their care. Elephant centers tend to be in hot, humid rural areas. 20th January, 2023 Ethical elephant sanctuaries in Thailand, or any other country in the world, are the only kind of elephant attraction that you should visit on your travels. Finally, Thailand has some truly ethical elephant sanctuaries Phuket Elephant Sanctuary is the first ethical elephant sanctuary in Phuket. However, it is amazing that there is somewhere these injured and poorly animals can go to be treated with care and respect. The sanctuary also offer support, jobs and funding to the local community as well as providing as much education as possible. It means they don't offer bathing, riding, or performances here. They provide a safe home and shelter for elephants. Boon Lott Elephant Sanctuary is home to 12 elephants rescued from miserable conditions. Discover the rich flavors of Thai cuisine and immerse yourself in the beauty of Thailand's nature with our Thai Food and Elephant ATV Adventure. If the elephant sanctuary happens to have younger elephants (as was the . This elephant ! "Captive elephants should be allowed to live as naturally as possible, so if they are forced to display unnatural behaviours - such as dancing, painting or playing football - this is being done for. Share this information with your friends and social network. Dotted around Thailand, particularly in the northern hills around Chiang Mai and Chiang Rai, are a growing number of centers for rescued working elephants that offer a chance to encounter these incredible mammals and help to pay for their upkeep without causing them harm. Located in the Chiang Mai province of northern Thailand and established in the 1990s, they are a true sanctuary for elephants as well as other animals. Chailert, an award-winning conservationist who has been advocating for elephants' rights and welfare in Thailand for dozens of years. Apart from daily visits, Phuket Elephant Sanctuary offers volunteering programs. Elephant Hills is Thailand's first luxury-tented jungle camp and ethical elephant sanctuary and rehabilitation center. But, studying the topic more, I realized that bathing with elephants is also not ethical. point, and encourage you to read recent Google and social media reviews to find out the current state of affairs at each of the sanctuaries. Read more about visiting the Elephant Nature park here. There's a misconception that Thailand elephant sanctuaries are an ethical and responsible way to interact with these large, beautiful creatures even without the elephant riding. The volunteering work can be You can stay at the sanctuary or at a nearby guesthouse, and a reservation is absolutely essential. sanctuary was founded by Katherine Connor in 2007 and named after a brave baby elephant named Boon Lott. Boon Lot has several guesthouses where you can stay for a night and spend more time observing elephants taking a swim in the river, roaming around, or even get to know the mahouts. Most sanctuaries are not for profit organisations or charities. operators. On top of the elephant experiences you are also able to take speedboat tours, visit the local market, swim in Cheow Larn Lake and hang out at the bar of an evening. and even painted pictures. Please note that this great initiative is still in the process of implementation. In addition, in recent years, new ethical elephant sanctuaries have emerged in Thailand, where elephants live in proper conditions. and 3,340 wild elephants. And even then some of the sanctuaries are questionable in their practices. Currently, they work on a new animal welfare law and a "National Elephant Care Master Plan" to protect domesticated elephants. The longer you stay the cheaper it works out. Visiting an ethical elephant sanctuary in Thailand can be a great educational tourism experience. The vast majority of elephant sanctuaries in Thailand, and elsewhere, focus on taking care of rescued animals. And riding an elephant seems Samui Elephant Sanctuary. 12. I feel better equipped to know what Im looking for when choosing an elephant sanctuary where the elephants are properly cared for. Pattaya, Thailand Features animals Contact Here Ill include only the ones I visited myself, and can confirm are legit as well as those I heard personally vouched for while in Thailand. They do allow volunteers to stay overnight. Are you ready to take the plastic-free travel pledge? Into The Wild Elephant Camp: Wonderful Experience at Ethical Elephant Sanctuary - See 708 traveler reviews, 1,005 candid photos, and great deals for Chiang Mai, Thailand, at Tripadvisor. This is the first ethical elephant . You will also usually learn about the elephants background and how the elephants are cared for. Pattaya Elephant Sanctuary | Ethical Elephant Tour Thailand A Sanctuary FOR Elephants Spend time with rescued elephants in Pattaya BOOK YOUR VISIT An Unforgettable Experience with Elephants Join us at Pattaya Elephant Sanctuary and spend time with a small herd of rescued elephants now living together as a family. Its a great place to visit if you want to support the idea of elephant camps transitioning to truly ethical elephant sanctuaries. Elephant Nature Park is the oldest and the most famous elephant sanctuary and a rescue The article was really helpful in putting that all in perspective. The hard truth is that owners need to come up with the money in some way, otherwise the elephants may not get enough to eat. . Asia Elephant Sanctuary in Thailand that Will Truly Warm Your Heart written by Vessy 10/25/2020 Table of Contents Finding the Perfect Elephant Sanctuary in Thailand List of Great Elephant Sanctuaries Elephant Nature Park Chiang Mai Tour Options Where to Stay Karen Elephant Serenity Project What to Bring Shuttle Comfort Bouncy Arrival The first hard truth is that these elephants actually may not be able to go back into the wild. Take a look on Trip Advisor to read reviews from other tourists and Google the name of the company. But here is a problem: not all elephant encounters that are offered to tourists are ethical. At their Education Center, you can learn about the importance of elephant conservation, the Thai elephant's history, and ethical Truthfully, the research is not fully conclusive yet whether this is really harmful for the elephants. Hospital. A true sanctuary buys the animals from their previous owners and is committed to offering a final home. Increased awareness of the harm that riding elephants can cause these remarkable animals saw Thailands elephant tourism industry pivot to offer "gentler" interactions. An elephant is also a highly intelligent animal. sanctuary is committed to the village community and provides jobs and housing to mahouts. This is, of course, very sad. All rights reserved. Ethical elephant sanctuaries in Thailand, or any other country in the world, are the only kind of elephant attraction that you should visit on your travels. While this is a step forwards, some animal welfare groups encourage tourists to go further, avoiding experiences that involve direct contact with elephants because of the techniques used to train elephants to accept human interaction. The best way to see elephants is to simply view them from a distance in their natural habitat. If youre hoping that by doing so, theyll be released into the wild, I hope after reading this far you understand why it wont. You arent totally wrong, its good to be skeptical in this regard. At Elephant hills, you can have a much more enriching experience than an elephant ride. There's nothing better than seeing elephants just be elephants. as a volunteer. Elephant Nature Park is easily the most famous elephant sanctuary in Thailand. For years we have destroyed our environment. About: Samui Elephant Sanctuary is one of two ethical elephant sanctuaries on the island of Koh Samui (the other is Samui Elephant Haven) and they are both located in the North East of Koh Samui near to Mae Nam and are both associated with Save Elephant Foundation.The founder of the sanctuary is Thai native, Wittaya Sala-Ngam who has learnt from Lek Chailert in . Honestly, I also used to believe this before I did my own research. The money you pay to observe elephants in these sanctuaries is actually the main source funding the elephants food. elephants previously working in the logging industry. Thank you for sharing these tips! But I thought, "if it's allowed and popular, then it should be okay." You may accidentally support animal cruelty without even realizing it, as I once did. A report by the World Animal Protection showed that 77% of elephants used in tourism within Asia are living in terrible conditions. 1. I was looking forward to arriving in Chiang Mai because there we had an elephant encounter in the program. Now that we understand why elephants cant magically re-integrate into the wild after generations of domestication, we can learn what role elephant sanctuaries play in their livelihood. Then came the era of elephant rides, elephant encounters, and elephant shows. There are thousands of elephants all over the world who have spent their lives suffering by working in the logging or tourism industries. Here you will find tips for meaningful, off the beaten trackand Elephants dont wear chains any more; they roam freely in the lush greenery, bathe in the river Kwai additional fee. yourself in hill tribe culture, learn about elephants and develop different skills such as Thai cooking or basket weaving. Many people question the true ethicality of these elephant sanctuaries, and not without reason. Visitors are allowed to observe them in nature, but not touch or feed them. Under Thai law, elephants are still classed as "working animals", but the new legislation will compel owners of captive elephants to provide DNA samples to the national elephant database and to register all new elephant births, allowing the authorities to better monitor the welfare of Thailand's estimated 3800 working elephants. Yeah, I saw the boycotting movement and always wondered what happens after the boycott. Also supported by World Animal Protection, Following Giants transitioned to an observation-only model in late 2019. Those staying for the full-day program hike to a stunning cave and a waterfall, and share herbal drinks with the local mahouts. BEES practices a 'no contact, hands-off' policy that allows elephants to be elephants and behave naturally. The lack of tourists during the pandemic has also demonstrated the unsustainability of breeding elephants for tourism. Elephant Nature Park is one of the oldest and most famous elephant sanctuaries in Thailand, having really led the way since the '90s. Elephant sanctuaries have become increasingly popular attractions for tourists in countries like Thailand, where these gentle giants hold cultural significance and symbolize spiritual values. There are more than a handful of truly ethical elephant sanctuaries in Thailand. I was amazed at how smart and graceful elephants were. forced to bathe when they don't want to. Below I have outlined establishments which have an excellent track record and reviews. Later I Coming from the logging industry as well as the more unethical side of elephant tourism, there has been plenty of work for the staff here to do over the years. If owners are low on funds, they have no choice but to feed them lower quality food which negatively impact the elephants life quality. I am Sasha, a smiling face behind this blog and your In an ideal world, no elephants would be living in captivity, however, in the real world this is not possible.