Thailand
You can become involved in a variety of conservation and animal care projects in Thailand.
You have the opportunity to assist in a wildlife or elephant rescue centre feeding, maintaining, and caring for mistreated and domesticated animals.
Most of the animals residing at the sanctuary were maltreated before they arrived there, suffering from abuse, malnutrition, neglect and improper care, rescued from the illegal pet trade, or have previously been exploited for the tourism industry.
Programs
Elephant Refuge and Education Centre
There are approximately 3500 domesticated elephants in Thailand. It has been estimated that there are around 200 elephants begging on the streets in the larger cities in Thailand. Cities are harsh environments for such a large forest animal, with the elephants under constant threat of road accidents, pollution and a scorching heat that can be fatal to a large mammal such as the elephant. Volunteers are needed to assist the local staff at the Refuge Centre to ensure that from now onwards the elephants have a better quality of life in their natural environment. Volunteers will have the opportunity to work hands on with the elephants. The main duties include:
• Cleaning elephant enclosures
• Feeding and watering the elephants
• Harvesting food for the elephants
• Walking some of the elephants in to the forest at night and collecting them in the morning
• Bathing the elephants in a lake
• Maintaining the elephant refuge
This program is suitable for volunteers with enthusiasm, a love for animals, and above all an interest in elephants! No animal experience is necessary, although representatives from relevant fields are more than welcome to contribute to the team.
Wildlife Rescue Centre
Animals you can expect to work with at the centre include a variety of macaques, two species of gibbon, several species of civets, loris, leopard cats, tigers, bears, crocodiles, and exotic birds. The centre tries to provide these animals with enclosures as close to nature as possible or, where possible, reintroduction to the wild. Depending on the duration of your stay, your education and experience, you may participate in the following activities:
• Preparing and giving out food to all animals
• Maintaining enclosures and building enrichments
• Daily cleaning of enclosures
The aim of the project is to save wild animals and their habitat from destruction. Their strategy towards achieving this aim involves three complementary tasks:
• Through the education program, encourage local people, tourists and the international community to appreciate, understand and protect wild animals and their rainforest habitat;
• Assist in and develop new projects involved in the protection, education, captive breeding, rehabilitation, humane housing and welfare of all wild animals;
• To rehabilitate captive wild animals and release them back into the wild, repopulating forest areas, where they have become rare to extinct.
Program Cost
Application Fee US$97 *
Your application fee is fully transferable and will secure your place on the Thailand program, (or any other program of your choice), at a placement date that is suitable to you. *
* Your application fee provides you with access to any of our volunteer programs over the next 5 years, as many times as you like without having to pay another application fee!
Program Fee from US$45 a day *
Elephant Refuge and Education Centre Program
1 week: US $1397
2 weeks: US $1597
3 weeks: US $1797
4 weeks: US $1997
6 weeks: US $2397
8 weeks: US $2797
Wildlife Rescue Centre Program
2 weeks: US $1597
3 weeks: US $1797
4 weeks: US $1997
6 weeks: US $2247
8 weeks: US $2497
Placements longer than 8 weeks are available, please contact us or apply online for details.
* Based on an 8 week placement
What's included
- Volunteer Bungalow accommodation
- 3 meals daily
- In-country orientation and training
- In-country staff supervision
- Pre-departure personal support from your volunteer co-ordinator, 24/7 in-country support from partner, and 24 hr emergency line.
What's not included
Flights, insurance, visas, vaccinations, transport to placement 2200 Baht (around US $55.00) and departure from the program.
We recommend you allow a weekly budget of US $30 for your other expenses such as bottled water, personal items, beverages, transportation and entertainment.
Program Schedule
Start Date (Elephant Refuge): any Sunday of the month
Start Date (Wildlife Rescue Centre): any day of the month
Length: from 1 week - 12 weeks
Please note: Volunteers who wish to stay longer than 12 weeks may negotiate this with the program director when in Thailand.
