Elephant Refuge CentreThailand

I will be working with a local organization in Thailand, called The Wildlife Friends of Thailand, in August. The organisation rescues animals that have been mistreated and in some cases reintroduces them into the wild. It also works to educate people about preventing cruelty to animals, as well as preventing hunting and promoting
conservation.

I will be volunteering in the Elephant Refuge and Education Centre of the organisation. This Centre
provides refuge and a sustainable existence to elephants rescued from mistreatment. After the ban on logging, many domesticated elephants are used for the tourism industry or to make a living begging on the streets of big cities. Walking day and night on these dirty and traffic congested streets is dangerous and unhealthy and very often, these elephants are involved in horrific traffic accidents. The Elephant Refuge Centre rescues these elephants and provides them with a better life.

My duties will involve looking after the elephants, bathing the elephants, keeping the area clean, taking the elephants into the forest and harvesting and collecting food for the elephants. We have been told
to expect physically demanding work in hot and humid conditions!