Kindred Spirit Elephant Sanctuary
Cause Area
Location
259 Moo 9, Soi 6, Hang Dong District Chiang Mai, Chiang Mai 50230 Thailand
Thailand
Active Opportunities (3)
Flexible Schedule
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Chiang Mai, Thailand
If you want to have a unique experience hiking in the forest to find the elephants and observe their natural behaviours in their home environment, Kindred Spirit Elephant Sanctuary is the right place for you. Come and join us for the experience of a lifetime. Volunteers must be physically fit to hike everyday up and down the mountains to get to the elephants. In our sanctuary, you can see exactly where your donations are going and how they are benefiting our sanctuary, our elephants and our community. Our sanctuary has just rescued 4 elephants from the tourism industry and we have now brought them home to live out their lives in the forest, in semi-wild conditions. We need volunteers to help us keep these elephants happy and healthy in their natural habitat. With volunteer support and donations, we hope to return more elephants to the forest soon. Kindred Spirit Elephant Sanctuary is set amongst the rolling hills of Northern Thailand in a Karen hilltribe village. It is surrounded by a forest that is perfect for our elephants to forage in. The Karen people are originally from Myanmar but they have migrated to Thailand in search of a better life during the many wars over generations. Volunteers will have the opportunity to learn and experience their language and culture. They are keen weavers and are well known in Thailand for their elephant keeping. They make an income from their elephants and working the fields, mainly growing rice and corn using rotational slash and burn techniques. Volunteers will have the opportunity to learn more first-hand about their culture and even help out with the community when required. Your Stay Our days begin with early morning hikes through the forest to find the elephants, staying with them while observing and taking data on their natural behaviours until lunch. Some days lunch is eaten with the elephants in the forest, a very unique experience! Hikes will usually return to the village around early afternoon but the day doesn’t end there. You will have the opportunity to participate in teaching English at the school, to the homestays and to the mahouts as well receiving education about elephants in Asia and learning the local tribal language and culture. We also have a number of add-ons you can choose such as relaxing with a Thai massage or learning how to basket weave. Volunteers can stay with us for 3 days to 3 months. However, we recommend at least a week to get the full experience of our sanctuary. Students who wish to carry out research for their studies are also welcome. Your tasks Volunteers must come with an open mind and be prepared to work with and experience another culture. You will have the chance to experience a diversity of tasks. Please be aware that tasks may vary depending on the time of your arrival and your own preferences. Among others you will: carry out health checks on the elephants perform research on the natural elephant behaviors and on the surrounding forest take part in community projects such as teaching English at the school and to other locals cutting grass for the elephants during dry season helping out in the fields planting and harvesting crops educating both the locals and tourists on the captive elephant situation in Thailand to help combat illegal trade Volunteers will also be expected to help us take care of any visitors and educate them on the real elephant situation in Thailand. Prices: 1 week - 4 weeks: 15,000thb per week (approx. $440/£326/570AUD). 5 weeks - 8 weeks: an added 10,000thb per week (approx. $292/£220/380AUD) 9 weeks - 12 weeks: an added 5,000thb per week (approx. $150/£110/192AUD) FOR EXAMPLE: the cost of 9 weeks stay would be 15,000x4 + 10,000x4 + 5,000 = 105,000thb This price inculdes all transport, accomodation and food in the village as well as 1 night accomodation in Chiang Mai on arrival.
Date Posted: 2024-03-16
Flexible Schedule
|
Chiang Mai, Thailand
If you want to have a unique experience hiking in the forest to find the elephants and observing and studying their natural behaviours in their home environment, Kindred Spirit Elephant Sanctuary is the right place for you. Come and join us for the experience of a lifetime. Volunteers must be physically fit to hike everyday up and down the mountains to get to the elephants. In our sanctuary, you can see exactly where your donations are going and how they are benefiting our sanctuary, our elephants and our community. Our sanctuary has just rescued 4 elephants from the tourism industry and we have now brought them home to live out their lives in the forest, in semi-wild conditions. We need volunteers to help us keep these elephants happy and healthy in their natural habitat. With volunteer support and donations, we hope to return more elephants to the forest soon. Our Village The Kindred Spirit Elephant Sanctuary is set amongst the rolling hills of Northern Thailand in a Karen hilltribe village. It is surrounded by a forest that is perfect for our elephants to roam and forage in. The Karen people are originally from Myanmar but they have migrated to Thailand in search of a better life during the wars over generations. Due to this they have their own language and culture, which volunteers will have the opportunity to learn and experience. They are keen weavers and are well known in Thailand for their elephant keeping. They make an income from their elephants and working the fields, mainly growing rice and corn using rotational slash and burn. Volunteers will have the opportunity to learn more first-hand about their culture and even help out in the community when required. This internship is an exciting opportunity for any current or recently graduated science university students who want more in-field scientific work experience. It is also perfect for anyone with an interest in research or collecting data in the field on animal behaviour. Applicants must have at least some previous data collection experience, but a small amount of training will be provided on arrival. Typical Day Our days begin with early morning hikes through the forest to find the elephants, staying with them while observing and taking data on their natural behaviours until lunch and assisting the staff with any visitors or volunteers. Some days lunch is eaten with the elephants in the forest, a very unique experience! Hikes will usually return to the village around early afternoon. The afternoons will consist of data entry and completing project work such as creating a portfolio on our elephants and improving our research ideas, with some evenings being spent giving talks and presentations on elephant research or conservation to create awareness and educate our guests. Interns will work together with our staff and volunteers both in the forest and onsite. Fee to cover all expenses: $1600/£1200/50,000THB Expenses include: All food and accommodation on site as well as your in-country transport to/from project on arrival and departure
Date Posted: 2024-03-16
Flexible Schedule
|
Chiang Mai, Thailand
If you want to have a unique experience hiking in the forest to find the elephants everyday and observing their natural behaviours in their home environment, Kindred Spirit Elephant Sanctuary is the right place for you. Come and join us for the experience of a lifetime. Volunteers must be physically fit to hike everyday up and down the mountains to get to the elephants. In our sanctuary, you can see exactly where your donations are going and how they are benefiting our sanctuary, our elephants and our community. Our sanctuary has just rescued 4 elephants from the tourism industry and we have now brought them home to live out their lives in the forest, in semi-wild conditions. We need volunteers to help us keep these elephants happy and healthy in their natural habitat. With volunteer support and donations, we hope to return more elephants to the forest soon. Our Village Kindred Spirit Elephant Sanctuary is set amongst the rolling hills of Nothern Thailand in a Karen hilltribe village. It is surrounded by a forest that is perfect for our elephants to roam and forage in. The Karen people are originally from Myanmar but they have migrated to Thailand in search of a better life during the wars over many generations. Due to this they have their own language and culture, which volunteers will have the opportunity to learn and experience. They are keen weavers and are well known in Thailand for their elephant keeping. They make an income from their elephants and working the fields, mainly growing rice and corn using rotational slash and burn. Volunteers will have the opportunity to learn more first hand about their culture and even help out in the community when required. Your Stay & Tasks A photography intern's tasks usually varies from day-to-day. Our days begin with early morning hikes through the forest to find the elephants, staying with them while observing and taking high resolution photos to help us with our social media. Some days lunch is eaten with the elephants in the forest, a very unique experience! Hikes will usually return to the village around early afternoon but the day doesn’t end there. Sometimes you will be needed to go to the school or stay in the village to get some community shots. You will also be given a project to work on during your stay as well as helping the staff with any visitors or volunteers. Internships length: 8-12 weeks Fee to cover all expenses: $1600/£1200/50,000THB Expenses include: All food and accommodation on site as well as your in-country transport from/to project on arrival and departure
Date Posted: 2024-03-16
Organization Information
Mission Statement
Working with a hilltribe community to bring elephants back to the forest
Description
We are a Non-Profit Foundation who are dedicated to giving our elephants the best life possible with the help of our visitors and volunteers. Our aim is to bring elephants home to the forest by working with the local communities to not only provide a haven for our elephants, but also provide an alternative livelihood for their mahouts and owners.
Our elephants have been taken from a life of inadequate health care, poor diet, exhaustion and entertaining tourists; they were unable to just be elephants. We brought these wonderful creatures back to their natural environment where they are living in semi-wild conditions, free to roam as much as possible and live their lives how they choose - interacting and foraging. We plan to bring elephants of all ages and sizes home to the forest, but we need your help.
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