Elephant Conservation in Thailand

Kindred Spirit Elephant Sanctuary is set amongst the rolling hills of Northern Thailand in a Karen hill tribe village. It is surrounded by a forest that is perfect for our elephants to roam and forage in. Our sanctuary has rescued 5 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. We work very closely with the local community and tribe. 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 firsthand about their culture and even help out with the community when required. 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 home-stays and to the mahouts. You will also learn about elephants in Asia and the local language and culture. We also have a number of add-ons you can choose from including relaxing with a Thai massage or learning how to basket weave. 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. Some of the tasks include:

- Performing research on the natural elephant behaviours and on the surrounding forest

- Taking part in community projects such as teaching English at the school and to other locals

- Litter pick-ups with the kids to educate on waste management

- Helping out the community in the fields planting and harvesting crops and rice

- Volunteers will also be expected to help the staff welcome and take care of any visitors. Volunteers must be physically fit to hike everyday up and down the mountains to get to the elephants and open minded as we are working closely with the local community and their tribal culture.

Volunteers and visitors are expected to wake up early in the morning and be prepared for a long hike into the forest. Hikes will usually return to the village around early afternoon but the day doesn’t end there. Volunteers and visitors will have the opportunity to participate in teaching English at the school, to the homestays and to the mahouts as well as learn about elephants in Asia and the local language and culture.

We have many add-ons in the village that volunteers can take part in if they wish, such as: basket weaving, scarf weaving, river tubing, Thai massage, night hikes, bamboo rafting, cooking class and forest sleep outs.

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We provide an income for our community by housing our guests, volunteers and interns in their own homestay provided by the local people. All of our homestays are different from each other, some being a private room inside the family home, others being a wooden hut just outside the family home. Some homestays have a western toilet, others have a traditional squat toilet. Each one beautifully unique, just like their welcoming hosts. The accommodation is basic but comfortable and provides all bedding, a mattress, mosquito net, extension cord to charge electronics, filtered water and usually a shared bathroom with cold showers and toilet paper provided. Hot shower may be provided at our base hut (depending on water pressure). Please be aware that during the dry season there might not be a lot of water available in the pipes for running water, but there will always be a bucket of water in your homestay toilet to be used for showering or flushing the toilet. Electricity can also come off and at different intervals during the dry and rainy seasons.

Flights Travel insurance Visa costs Exploring the surrounding area during weekends for stays longer than a week (although we can help arrange this)