The Elephant Mahout and Volunteer Community Project

  Thailand

• All Other Areas in Thailand: 
Chonburi

Durations of Program: 1-2 weeks, 2-4 weeks, 5-8 weeks and 9-12 weeks
Typical Duration of Program: 7-12 months
Dates: all year

Description: Sriracha Elephant Conservation community centre has been developed in order to provide a home and an income for elephants and their mahouts. At the moment, the domestic elephants in Thailand face a lot of problems. There is not always enough food in the forest and often not enough money to buy food for the elephants. Instead, sometimes their mahouts take them to the city where together, they wander in the streets begging for money. However, the city streets are dangerous for elephants because of the numerous cars. Also it is not always easy to find 100-200 kg of food everyday. By means of creating sustainable tourism at The Volunteer Mahout Project we try to solve the problem and offer an alternative for the elephants and their mahouts. People who visit Sriracha Elephant Conservation comunity centre and take an elephant ride will generate income and in this way the elephants and their mahouts can have a secure and fairly comfortable life.

This project is a part of a longer term plan to help the elephant population and their mahouts. The first stage of this plan is to help educate and support the mahouts who have come into the city in search of work and food since their original towns may no longer be able to support them. The mahout and elephants who come to the Sriracha Elephant Conservation community centre are supported by the project team. Many tourists and volunteers who come to the centre are able to see first hand how professionally the mahouts care and work with the elephants. Working at the camp, as opposed to working on the steets is also safer and less stressful for the elephants. The volunteers who learn from the staff and the mahouts assist with the securing a better future for the elephant as they are able to take the knowledge of the elephant and the mahout life and further promote the scheme through the education of others in their respective countries.

Highlights: The Elephant Mahout and Volunteer Project provides volunteering with a great opportunity to get a basic understanding of the Thai mahout and Thai elephant and their relationship with their forever Elephant Camp. The volunteer will be paired up with an elephant and its mahout for your entire stay. You will not only learn how to ride your elephant but also how to care for it. During your stay you will build up a bond with your elephant. You can learn about the life of the mahouts and will become very close with their community, joining in with various communal activities.

Qualifications: The Elephant Mahout and Volunteer Project was set up in February 2004 by the environmental company Eco Explorer our main objective is to help educate and support the mahout and elephant who have come into the city in search of work and food since their original towns may no longer be able to support them. We can support the mahout to ensure the elephant has all the food it needs each day, as well as a suitable, comfortable place to live with access to water and shade. We can also provide medicine and/or veterinary care if the elephant becomes sick.

If you come to the project as a volunteering you will be able to see first hand how professionally our mahout care and work with the elephants. Working at the camp, as opposed to working on the streets, is also safer and less stressful for the elephant. Revenue generated from visitors like yourselves substantially help to secure a better future for the elephant, by paying for food, water, medicine and other care for the elephant as well as wages to the mahout and his family. You can take the knowledge that you learn today about the elephant and mahout community and further promote the scheme through the education of others in your respective countries.

Cost in US$: 562.58 USD Per week / person

Experience Required: no

Typical Volunteer: Volunteers can help with all aspects from assisting project staff on each research unit as well as other project activities such as taking care of elephants, assisting with the PR and translation of project releases.

Age Range: 18 and over

This Program is open to Worldwide Participants. This Program is also open to Families and Individuals

Participants Travel to Thailand Independently Or in Groups

Application Process Involves:

• Disciplinary Clearance Form
• In-Person Interview Required
• Online Application plus Application Assessment
• Phone Interview

Post Services Include:

• Alumni Network
• Job and Internship Network

Eco Explorer Company 's Mission Statement: Real Experience Thailand is a fully registered responsible Travel to wildlife ecotourism and ecovolunteer experience exploration all around Thailand, has been founded by Eco Explorer Company. Real Experience Thailand is a not-for-profit organization dedicated to eco-conservation and promoting wildlife and culture throughout Thailand. Based in Chonburi Province, the company runs numerous volunteer projects and expeditions all over Thailand from a few days to 8 week plus. All the money raised goes directly back to the wildlife, local school or conservation community for food, education and medical supplies.

Year Founded: 2002