Description

Volunteers will have daily contact, caring for elephants that have been rescued from unacceptable living conditions. Saved from begging on city streets or performing in circus shows, they are being reintroduced into their natural habitat. This program brings volunteers for 1 to 4 weeks to a remote area in Chiang Mai Province of Northern Thailand, famous for its elephant keeping tribal traditions. This province is home to several elephant-keeping communities tucked away in the mountainous border region. A main focus of this project is reintroducing elephants into a protected forest, and researching the current status of biodiversity. You will be working with local communities to provide basic elephant care, food, and habitat for these endangered gentle giants. Volunteers who stay on longer or apply as interns can expect to get more deeply involved with elephant behaviour research, lead biodiversity surveys, and retrain local people in alternative livelihoods so they won't return with their elephants to work in the circus.

What difference does this project make?

The practice of elephant street begging significantly reduces the life expectancy of this endangered species, diminishes their high cultural importance, and places individuals in inhumane living conditions. We are creating a new future for the species, and bringing new hope to elephants with tragic pasts. Volunteers provide basic care and see that the elephants' social needs are met. This program is tied in with a larger government effort to rescue up to 300 elephants from city streets - representing about 10% of the population. We are helping the government to establish a new 2000 acre home for these rescued elephants, where they can live out their days as naturally as possible. Volunteers also work with local communities bordering the reserve, ex-street begging mahouts and their families: finding alternative livelihoods so they don't need to return to the streets or take up poaching inside the reserve. Volunteers will see the profound difference this program is making on the lives of each elephant and the people involved.

Highlights

You will be assigned an elephant to care for during your stay, taught how to observe her behaviour and read her moods. We want you to be able to see the happiness you can bring to these incredibly sophisticated animals. This is an opportunity to learn about elephants from communities who have worked with them for centuries. The 'Gui' tribal people you will live and work with have a special connection with these intelligent animals, stemming from their spiritual connection with nature, and lead by the 'elephant shamans' who can only be found in this remote corner of Asia! This project draws advice from the elephant shamans, community leaders, and western experts in animal psychology.

Qualifications

No previous experience is required as GVI will supply full training to allow you to contribute to the program. However a basic understanding of oral English or Thai is essential. It is important for volunteers to be self-motivated throughout their stay and everyone must be able to work as part of a team and should be very enthusiastic, hardworking, have a good sense of fun and be respectful of the local environment and culture. Daily meetings and weekly meetings are held in the community to discuss structure, swap ideas and to work on the following week's activities. You will be working alongside GVI staff to ensure high levels of safety, quality and enjoyment.

Languages

• English

Cost in US$:

Please see GVI website for cost details.

Cost Includes:

• Food
• Housing
• In-country orientation/Training
• In-country staff support

Experience Required

no

Volunteer Types

Age Range

18-65 years

This Program is open to

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

Typical Living Arrangements

• Group living

Participants Travel

Independently

Typically Participants Work

in Groups of Varies

Application Process Involves

• Online Application plus Application Assessment
• Phone/Video Interview
• Written Application

Typically The Application Process Time is

1-2 weeks

GVI's Mission Statement

Global Vision International aims to promote the advancement of sustainable development through the creation of partnerships, promotion of local and global education, opportunities and via direct financial support. GVI remains committed to its local partners by ensuring they receive full credit for any research undertaken or achievements reached.

Year Founded

1998