Elephants are a highlight for most visitors to Thailand and other places in Southeast Asia. Elephants have always held a revered and valued role in local cultures over many generations. Many elephant camps were founded as places older elephants, retired from work, could survive. In recent years there has been a justifiable concern for the welfare of these animals and as a result almost all camps have implemented ethical practicies. There has been a dramatic change in almost all camps away from circus-variety activities to more sanctuary and ethical behavior, including care- giving environments, focused more on effective animal welfare, tourist education and awareness, medical care, and providing for respectful interaction with visitors. We can arrange elephant experiences range from half-day, full-day, to overnight and multi-day excursions, as well as volunteering opportunities.
Please refer to this elephant welfare summary to help you make informed decisions on which camp to visit (we're happy to provide up-to-date feedback as well). Should you boycott or avoid visiting any of the camps listed here based simply on this report or because you've read about negative practices? In an ideal world, all elephants would be free wild and there would be no need to rescue abandoned working and other elephants. However, releasing captive elephants to the wild is formidable and at least in the near future, not realistic as there are very limited, decreasing or even no places for elephants to survive in the wild. For the over 3,500 captive elephants in Thailand at the moment there are simply no wilderness areas in which they can be safely reintegrated and roam freely.
In the long term, camps are moving towards more humane practices, but interim boycotts and bans may only do more harm than good. Elephants need to eat about 500 pounds of food per day and cost owners approximately $1,000 per month to house and feed. Without tourism, these elephants would have nowhere to go and no one to pay for their food. For their mahouts (handlers), who often live at poverty level, it is also harmful. Even at camps where neck riding is allowed, at minimum, the animals are being cared for and fees you provide help them to survive and continue to be cared for. Camps need to provide and promote ethical work for those elephants that are physically capable, while providing a safe, healthy environment for those that are not. It is by people visiting these camps who have the biggest impact on operators to adopt and implement more humane practices.
For your visit, we can plan not only the perfect match for your elephant encounter, but organize private encounters, meeting with camp founders, and access that most travelers cannot experience on their own.
CAMP CARE CHART | Bullhook | Chains | Habitat | Medical | SHOWS | Riding | Feeding | Bathing | Education | GRADE |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
THAILAND | ||||||||||
Ranthong | No | Yes | Yes | Yes | No | Neck | Yes | Yes | Yes | B |
Chiang Dao | Yes | Yes | Yes | No | Yes | Seated | Yes | Yes | No | D |
Thai Elephant Care | Limited | At night | Yes | Yes | No | No | Yes | Yes | Yes | A |
Maesa | Limited | At night | Yes | Yes | Yes | Seated | Yes | Yes | Yes | C |
Patara | No | At night | Yes | Yes | No | Neck | No | Yes | Yes | A |
The Chang | Yes | At night | Yes | Yes | No | Neck | Yes | Yes | Yes | B |
Elephant Nature Park | No | No | Yes | Yes | No | No | Yes | No | Yes | A |
Baan Chang | Yes | At night | Yes | Yes | No | Neck | Yes | Yes | Yes | B |
Elephant Life Experience | Yes | At night | Yes | No | Yes | Neck | Yes | Yes | Yes | C |
Thai Elephant Home | Limited | At night | Yes | Yes | No | Neck | No | Yes | Yes | A |
Thai Elep. Needs Improvementervation Ctr. | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Seated | No | No | Yes | C |
Elephant Valley | Limited | At night | Yes | No | No | No | No | No | Yes | A |
Krabi Elephant Sanctuary (NEW) Closed for COVID | TBD | TBD | TBD | TBD | TBD | TBD | TBD | TBD | TBD | TBD |
Ananatara Golden Triangle | Yes | Yes | No | Yes | No | Neck | No | Yes | No | B |
Elephants World | No | At night | Yes | Yes | No | No | Yes | Yes | Yes | A |
Elephant Haven (Sai Yoke) | No | At night | Yes | Yes | No | No | Yes | Yes | Yes | A |
Four Seasons Tented Camp | No | At night | Yes | Yes | No | No | No | No | Yes | A |
Elephant Hills | ||||||||||
Phuket Elephant Sanctuary | No | At night | Yes | Yes | No | No | No | No | Yes | A |
LAOS | ||||||||||
MandaLao | Limited | At night | Yes | Yes | No | No | Yes | Yes | Yes | A |
Elephant Village (Shangri-Lao) | No | At night | Yes | Yes | No | Neck | Yes | Yes | Yes | B |
Elephant Needs Improvementervation Center | No | At night | Yes | Yes | No | No | No | No | Yes | A |
CAMBODIA | ||||||||||
Elephant Valley Project | Limited | At night | Yes | No | No | No | No | No | Yes | A |
The Mondulkiri Project | No | At night | Yes | Yes | No | No | Yes | Yes | Yes | B |
ANGKOR Elephant Rides | Yes | Yes | No | No | Yes | Seated | Yes | No | No | F |
Kulen Forest (Siem Reap) | No | No | Yes | Yes | No | No | No | No | Yes | A |
MYANMAR | ||||||||||
Green Hill Valley Sanctuary | No | At night | Yes | Yes | No | No | Yes | Yes | Yes | A |
Myaing Hay Wun (CLOSED) | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Seated | Yes | No | Yes | D |
Glossary & Definitions
Bullhook - a weapon used to beat and intimidate elephants
Chains - Elephants are chained to keep them from roaming
Habitat - Natural habitat provided
Medical - Adequate veterinary checkups and care provided
Shows - Circus type shows with elephants coerced to entertain tourists
Riding - Neck (bareback) or seated (with large, strapped platform)
Feeding - Direct feeding teaches elephants to beg for food
Bathing - Elephants naturally bath wildly, splashing and roughly
Education - Does the camp teach you about the care and oves of elephants?
Grade: A = Excellent, B = Satisfactory, C = Needs to improve, D/F = Unsatisfactory treatment
Best practices: Limit visitor numbers to minimize stress to the animals, eliminate abusive training or control methods like bullhooks, do bnot allow rides and performances of any kind. Visitors not to come into contact with the elephants unless the animals initiate it. Provide a natural setting to roam, and regular health and medical care.
For elephant encounters, Thailand provides a breadth of camps like no other destination in the world, with venues throughout the country for getting up close and personal. No matter what your opinion is on the correct way the animals should be handled or presented, the camps and other venues do provide food, shelter and care for elephants for which there would be no funding for without caring tourists.
Overall, the growing trend has been for humane and cooperative camps rather than circus-style activities or riding. Travelers may now even volunteer to care for animals at some camps involved in elephant Needs Improvementervation. Under Threat Thailand is a country that has long revered the elephant for its royal and religious significance – is home to some 4,000 of the fewer than 50,000 Asian elephants (Elephas maximus) still surviving. Compared to the relatively enduring population of African elephants (currently estimated to number about 500,000), the rapidly dwindling Asian population was a major cause of concern.
In 1975, the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES) banned the commercial trade in Asian elephants. Thailand ratified the convention in 1983, and has been subject to its provisions ever since. In 1986, the Asian elephant was added to the World Needs Improvementervation Union (IUCN) list of endangered species.
Summary of Regional Elephant Camps by Location
Click below for details
Thailand
Laos
Cambodia
Myanmar
Overview
Founded with the primary purpose of rescuing mistreated and retired elephants by providing care and a possibility for a better life.
Key Information
36 elephants (25 used for riding)
Approximately 80,000sq.m. (20 acres)
Open 5 years
Elephant Care Program bathing and preparing food, and learning elephant's language.
Elephant Riding sitting on elephant neck without seat for approximately 20 minutes
Elephant shelters and elephant clinic
Elephants roam freely in large field area
Briefing and lunch area
Elephant shelter
Instructional elephant care program
Elephants kept on short chain
Best Practices
No bull hooks
No elephant shows
No seated riding
No chains (while mahout is nearby)
Large area and natural environment
On-site vet and elephant clinic
Care center for disabled and elderly elephants
Elephants have free time in the afternoons. Usual progararem1s0.00-12.00 and 13.00-14.30
English-speaking volunteers explain elephant issues to guests
Quiet and not mass touristy
Needs Improvement
Observed the use of a wooden stick to hit an elephant
Elephant neck riding is available
Elephants are chained at night. Observed short length of chain, restricting movement
Overview
This elephant camp is located along the scenic Ping River where guests can experience trekking by elephant back through the nearby forest. The camp also offers elephant shows, feeding and bathing activities daily.
Key Information
10 elephants
Large area of land by a forest and river
Founded in 1969
Located in Chiang Mai
Experiences Available
Elephant Bathing guests observe as the mahouts bathe the elephants
Elephant Feeding guests have a chance to feed bananas to the elephants by
hand before the show
Elephant Riding trek through nearby forests on wooden seating for 2 people strapped to elephant back
Bamboo Rafting ride a bamboo raft along the Ping River and observe the natural scenery
Elephant feeding
Observe elephants bathing in the morning
Training show displaying the elephant’s ability
Selling bananas to feed elephants
Use of chains and bull hooks
Rafting experience along Ping River
Best Practices
Elephants have free time in the afternoons. Daily program 1s0.00-12.00only.
Large forest area and natural environment
Needs Improvement
Regular use of bull hooks
Elephant show with elephant painting
The show has no explanation or commentary so it may be difficult for guests to understand
Seated riding available
Mahouts can be seen kicking and pulling the elephant's ear during the show
Elephants carry heavy chains throughout the day and are chained at night
No on-site vet or elephant clinic
Mahouts have limited English ability
More suitable for mass tourists
Overview
The Thai Elephant Care Center is a home for retired, elderly elephants. The elephants are over 60 years old and visitors can observe the elephants as they roam around th large area with their mahout.
Key Information
Certified
Founded in 1976
Elephant Experiences
Elephant Care learn how to prepare food and herbs to treat elephants or participate in bathing elephants
Entrance to the care center
Herbs for feeding elephants
Walkway offers easy access to care center
Elephant with mahout
Elephant cemetery
Shelter for elephants
Best Practices
No chains (while mahout is near)by
Elephants have free time in the afternoons and are able to return to the nearby forest
Elephants are kept on a long chain at night, allowing freedom of movement
Large area with forests
On site and elephant clinic
Care center for disabled and elderly elephants
Needs Improvement
Use of bullhooks for safety purposes
Overview
Maesa is home to the largest assembly of domesticated elephants in northern Thailand. Visitors can see the elephants working with mahouts and bathing in the river.
Key Information
79 elephants
Large area of land separated for different activities: riding, training and care center
Founded in 1976
Experiences Available
Elephant Show demonstrating the skill of elephants three times daily
Elephant Riding trek through nearby forest area on wooden seating for 2 people strapped to elephant back
Mahout Experience-train as a mahout and learn basic techniques used to command elephants
Seated riding experiences
Large area of land
Mother and baby
Mahouts demonstrate elephants’ ability
Feeding elephants
Best Practices
No chains (while mahout is near)by
Elephants have free time in the afternoons and are able to return to the nearby forest
Elephants are kept on a long chain at night, allowing freedom of movement
Large area with forests
Onsite and elephant clinic
Mahouts are friendlily and some are able to speak English
Popular with tourists, but private area is available
Needs Improvement
Use of bullhooks for safety purposes
Elephant show with elephant painting inting (in separate area)
Seated riding available (in separate area)
Overview
Patara Elephant Farm is a recovery and elephant reproduction facility that aims to provide a hand-son educational program to teach visitors about elephant care, including feeding and bathing.
Key Information
55 elephants
Large area of land for Needs Improvementervation activities
Founded in 2001
Located in Chiang Mai
Experiences Available
Mahout and Elephant Care-training about elephant breeding and feeding
Elephant Riding non-seated-riding on elephant neck for about 1hour
Elephant Bathing Show guests observe as mahouts bathe the elephants
Elephants line up for bathing show
Visitors observe from viewing platform
Elephant training demonstration
Mahouts demonstrate non-hook training
Elephants neck riding
Best Practices
No bull hooks
No chains
No elephant shows
No seated riding
Verbal commands are encouraged
Elephant breeding program
Elephants are released into the Needs Improvementervation area owned by Patara
Elephants have free time, not always entertaining tourists
Guests are educated before interacting with elephants
Comprehensive English language information
Needs Improvement
Elephants perform during bathing time
Elephant neck riding is available
Overview
Managed by a veterinarian who is an expert in elephant care, The Chang is located close to forests where the elephants are able to roam freely.
Key Information
4 elephants
Large forest area
Founded in 2016
Experiences Available
Observation guests can observe elephants in their natural environment while sipping cocktails on the observation deck
Elephant Riding non-seated-rides are offered
Elephants kept within enclosure
Observation terrace
Elephant neck riding
Selling bananas to feed elephants
Use of chains and bull hooks
Rafting experience along Ping River
Best Practices
Elephants have free time in the afternoons. Daily program 1s0.00-12.00only.
Large forest area and natural environment
Needs Improvement
Regular use of bull hooks
Elephant show with elephant painting
The show has no explanation or commentary so it may be difficult for guests to understand
Seated riding available
Mahouts can be seen kicking and pulling the elephant's ear during the show
Elephants carry heavy chains throughout the day and are chained at night
No on-site vet or elephant clinic
Mahouts have limited English ability
More suitable for mass tourists
Overview
The aim of Elephant Nature Park is to provide a sanctuary and acts as a rescue and rehabilitation center for elephants, cats and dogs, where visitors can be educated about Needs Improvementervation issues and also where you can volunteer and visit to help. We have been involved in dozens of rescues which have created our thriving elephant herd. The park provides a natural environment for elephants, dogs, cats, buffaloes and many other animals under our care.
Volunteers and visitors contribute to the healing while learning about their lives past and present. Arrange a visit to all our projects in Thailand, Cambodia and Myanmar.
Key Information
Founded in 1990s
Experiences Available
Best Practices
Needs Improvement
Popular with mass tourists
Overview
Baanchang Elephant Park is dedicated to providing elephants with the highest quality-of-life possible.
We are AGAINST the practice of separating baby elephants from their mother. However, it is our policy to accept and provide care for orphaned baby elephants. Sadly, babies are often orphaned as the cruel result of commercial exploitation (such as a practice known as "elephant begging") and mistreatment. Fortunately, at present, all of the babies in our park have NOT been separated from their mother.
The location of our park was chosen to provide a natural habitat. We are also AGAINST the practice of elephant painting and the training of elephants to dance and to sit or stand on two legs. We Needs Improvementider these practices unnatural and abusive. Our goal is to teach visitors about the importance elephant preservation and proper eating, sleeping, bathing, and exercising methods. One method of providing exercise for our elephants and a learning experience for our visitors is to allow visitors, to a limited extent, to ride elephants "bareback." As you can imagine, caring for exploited and abused elephants is a continuous, difficult, and costly process.
To date, Baanchang Elephant Park has provided a home and a purpose for domesticated elephant with the generous support of visitors who take advantage of the once-in-a lifetime opportunity for an elephant Training. Because of our continued success, concerned people all over the world care about the future of Thailand’s elephants. It is our ongoing goal makes sure that future is a bright one.
We appreciate feedback from persons who have visited our park. Feedback allows us to educate persons who are seeking to learn about elephant care and respond to issues that are important to our visitors. We encourage visitors to spend as much time at the park as possible. This allows the visitor to see the complexities of caring for elephants and to learn acceptable methods of treatment. Needs Improvementtructive feedback also allows us to re-evaluate and improve our treatment methods. Improving the quality-of-life for elephants is a continuous and ongoing process.
We are a managed by private owner in all ways. All funds are from visitors : meaning we are funded exclusively by visitors and every cent we receive goes towards making our elephants lives as pleasant as possible and, of course, retiring and rescue new elephants.
Key Information
Experiences
Best Practices
Needs Improvement
Overview
Offering personal and private experiences, E.L.E. allows guests to develop a close
relationship with the elephants. Elephant Life Experience ( E.L.E.) “EXPERIENCE” being the prominent feature. The guest will have the special opportunity to build a closeness to an individual elephant. Not being part of a large crowd will enable the visitor to spend as much time as they wish experiencing elephant life together..This will build a rapport with the elephant in their natural environment far removed from the usual organized tours of Elephant camps. We offer the visitor the freedom, flexibility and time needed to get closer to nature.
Key Information
Experiences Available
Best Practices
Needs Improvement
Overview
Thai Elephant Home was founded by Nayok Satien and is managed by Wanachart Buraphakiat, nickname Joe. Both Satien and Joe grew up around elephants and together shared the desire to create a safe caring environment for these majestic animals. Together they founded Thai Elephant Home in 2006 with 1 elephant. Now Thai Elephant Home has 20 elephants, 14 at the main camp and 6 at the nursery. Our elephants are ridden bareback with only one guest per elephant. Each elephant has its own individual mahout who cares for their elephant.
Eco-Tourism and Needs Improvementervation: Thai Elephant Home realizes the number of Asian elephants continues to decline as the population pressures on the elephants’ natural habitat continues to increase. Thai Elephant Home has an active breeding program to increase the size of our herd therein helping to preserve the Asian elephant for future generations. Knowing the elephants’ natural jungle habitat is fragile and continues to decrease, Thai Elephant Home maintains trekking trails into the jungle which allow guests to enjoy nature without leaving a heavy footprint. Thai Elephant Home also has an active land purchasing program aimed at maintaining and expanding the elephants’ natural habitat.
Our Mission
The Thai Elephant Home is devoted to the Needs Improvementervation and preservation of the endangered majestic Asian elephant. Rescued elephant are provided a safe, caring and ethical environment, while the nursery seeks to preserve Thailand’s baby elephants for future generations. The camp is committed to providing education coupled with hands experiences aimed at helping people understand the realities, challenges and opportunities the Asian elephant faces. In the process the Thai Elephant Home supports the local community through job creation, reforestation efforts and educational scholarships.
Key Information
Experiences Available
Best Practices
Needs Improvement
Overview
The Thai Elephant Needs Improvementervation Center (TECC), founded in 1993 under Royal Patronage, cares for more than 50 Asian elephants in a beautiful forest conveniently located near the famous city of Chiang Mai. Beyond being an exciting tourist experience, the TECC is also known for its pioneering work in Needs Improvementervation and science. The TECC also proudly houses six of HM King Bhumibol's ten white elephants in the Royal Elephant Stables. As Thailand's only government-owned elephant camp, the TECC promotes affordability and accessibility. The admission price is only 200 baht for adults ) and 100 baht for children. Being often visited by Thai families and schoolchildren, the TECC's foreign guests never feel caught on the tourist trail. Guidebooks Needs Improvementistently praise the TECC for its relaxed, non-commercial atmosphere. The TECC offers many enjoyable Activities. Day trip "musts" include watching elephant bathing, the elephant show and a visit to see our baby elephants. Most guests take an elephant-back ride and tour our hospital. Overnight activities include our popular Homestay program and trekking in the forest.
Key Information
Experiences Available
Best Practices
Needs Improvement
Overview
One of the key motivations for bringing our Cambodian model to Thailand and developing this sanctuary for elephants is to set an example of how to look after and treat elephants to other small camp owners. From the organic elephant food, the cheap and affordable fencing to the way we handle our elephants and work with our staff is all orientated at putting the elephants best interests first but in a way that is easily copied. Our hope is that by helping to lead the way in Elephant Tourism other elephants can benefit.
Key to this is an ethos that is driven by allowing the elephants to take the lead in their daily activities and therefore to lead a more natural life. Working towards giving the elephants back their independence, natural behavior and dignity is not easy and depends on the support and co-operation of our visitors.
Our goal is to simply let the elephants just be elephants in a stress free natural habitat. Finding out how to actually achieve this has played a major part in how we do what we do at both of our elephant sanctuaries. The process has been a real journey, but this is how we arrived at developing our elephants’ routine, treatment and the program with which our volunteers and visitors interact with elephants in a responsible way, down to a fine art.
From a visitor’s point of view this implies that putting the elephants first also means that we don’t do many of the activities that you can find elsewhere (swimming, riding, cuddling and kissing elephants) and in turn we feel that this difference has come to define why we are an actual sanctuary for captive elephants. An elephant is after all, a wild animal, and should be treated as such in every respect.
Just because a tourism company has the words “project”, “sanctuary”, or “community” does not necessarily mean they are actually doing any good for the elephants, forest, or local people. However here at the EVT we Needs Improvementider ourselves the real advocates for the Asian elephant in everything we do as we work hard to lead by example in setting up locations that show people openly how to look after elephants and invest in their future.
Key Information
Experiences Available
Best Practices
Needs Improvement
Overview
Fully funded by Anantara Hotels, Resorts & Spas, the camp was established as a
traditional mahout village and works to provide employment and a comfortable
lifestyle for elephants and their mahout families. Learn, play and connect with elephants in their natural environment, enriched by expert insights. Setting a benchmark for welfare, their award-winning Dara Elephant Camp offers animal encounters and tours, some inclusive of resort fees.
Key Information
Experiences Available
Best Practices
Needs Improvement
Overview
Elephants World is a self-supporting Environmental Needs Improvemen/Intervation Organization that cares for domestic elephants, situated just outside the town of Kanchanaburi, Thailand. Elephants World cares for the daily needs of over 30 elephants and staff by offering Eco-travelers the experience of an up-close and personal encounters. Our visitor programs range from a single-day visit to the Mahout Experience program of a week or more.
Key Information
Experiences Available
Best Practices
Needs Improvement
Overview
Sai Yok Elephant Camp is now known as Elephant Haven Thailand. The owners and families have completely stopped taking part of activities that distress their elephants, such as elephant shows and riding. The saddles have been taken away, foreever.
Our group of fortunate elephants are now enjoying their freedom. They are roaming free in the natural habitat, walking into the green forests, having a river bath and rolling in the mud pit, a favorite. All of them used to work for their entire lives and now we take off their chains and support them to live the rest of their lives peacefully. Your support of our efforts is critical and appreciated.
Key Information
Experiences Available
Best Practices
Needs Improvement
www.elephantnaturepark.org/elephant-haven-sai-yok-kanchanaburi/
Overview
The Four Season's Tented Camp is one of Asia's most exclusive resort retreats. Guest fees have now assisted in the adoption of more than ten elephants from the streets. Monthly sponsorship that includes all their food, veterinary and incidental bills (as well as the wages and benefits for their mahouts), these elephants can now live in a natural environment. Donations through similar sponsorships have helped baby elephants separated from their mothers before their natural weaning age, and elephants roaming city streets. These elephants are cared for on-site and can be seen during breakfast, or upon request, through a visit to the foundation camp. We are a member of the Golden Triangle Asian Elephant Foundation (GTAEF); as such, we offer our guests the opportunity to help rescue elephants from the streets of Thai cities. Donations made through GTAEF go directly to the care and welfare of these adopted elephants, with all administration and logistical support covered by Four Seasons Tented Camp at Golden Triangle.
The Foundation’s focus is on keeping wild elephants free and safe, and rescuing non-wild elephants from cruel conditions. The organization does not breed elephants or take them out of the wilderness. An additional goal is to look after the dedicated care-givers who are instrumental in helping rescued elephants heal and adjust to their new circumstances. The deep mutual attachment that develops between rehabilitated elephants and their mahouts is apparent to all who observe them. The Foundation works closely with mahouts and their families to help them build financial independence, supported by Four Seasons Tented Camp Golden Triangle.
The rehabilitated elephants now lead happy, comfortable lives: they are well looked after by their mahouts, spend ample time in the jungle and enjoy a bath every single day. They are also encouraged to spend their time the way they like. For instance, the Camp’s activities team is made up of social elephants who love to interact with people, while those who prefer solitude and quiet are left to snooze in the sun.
Key Information
Experiences Available
Best Practices
Needs Improvement
Overview
Elephant Hills operates a luxury tented jungle camp, combining the camp idea of African national parks with the Thai tropical forest environment. They offer 2-4 day nature soft adventure tours in and around the stunningly beautiful Khao Sok area. The Elephant Camp comprises luxury tailor-made tents and has successfully been operated since over 10 years.
The floating Rainforest Camp, one of the world’s only luxury floating tented camps, was opened in 2011 and is situated on the emerald green waters of Cheow Larn Lake. Both camps are situated in the Khao Sok National Park in Southern Thailand, approximately two hours apart from each other, close to popular beach destinations like Phuket, Khao Lak, Krabi and even Koh Samui. To facilitate travels to Elephant Hills Luxury Tented Camps, all transfers to and from Elephant Hills are included in the tour packages.
Key Information
Located in verdant Khao Sok National Park
Experiences Available
Best Practices
Incredible primitive jungles and lakes setting
Needs Improvement
Resort packages are more expensive than day camps
Overview
Founded by Swiss partners, Urs Fehr and Nathanael Schärer, Phuket Elephant Sanctuary is a home for retired working elephants, set on 30 acres of lush tropical jungle. Observe how elephants rehabilitate into forest life after decades of abuse, and experience how incredible the largest land mammal on earth is during a day at the sanctuary.
Key Information
Experiences Available
Best Practices
Needs Improvement
Mass tourist location
Overview
An intimate non-riding experience. With no riding (neck or back) MandaLao offers a
mostly hands-off experience that allows the guests the chance to feed and walk the
elephants and to learn about the project to re-integrate former working elephants
into the Lao countryside.
Guests are collected from the hotel by the camp (with a camp guide) and
transferred in a private vehicle for 45 minutes to the camp.
Key Information
Experiences Available
Best Practices
Needs Improvement
Overview
Established in 2001, Elephant Village has been supporting indigenous people in remote areas by giving them employment through the creation of jobs under fair social circumstances.
Elephant Village ensures the support and the survival of elephants living in harmony with nature and the community. They are kept away from abusive work and cared by professional veterinarians.
Elephant village ensures the preservation of a pristine river valley that otherwise would be destroyed by signing a multi-year lease agreement with the Lao government to establish a sustainable tourism project.
Key Information
The original elephant camp, founded as a care facility along the Mekong just outside of town.
Experiences Available
Best Practices
Close to Luang Prabang
Needs Improvement
Overview
ElefantAsia, a French NGO founded in 2000 decided to launch a campaign to raise awareness for the need to protect the Asian elephant in Laos. In 2001, the Elephant Caravan walked 1300 km across Laos, from the Southern town of Champassak to the Northern cultural capital of Luang Prabang. The event was a huge success and both the mahouts who participated in the caravan and the Lao Government asked ElefantAsia (the NGO was created for the caravan) to stay in Laos and design a national management plan for captive elephants. In 2005, ElefantAsia and the National Animal Health Centre of the Department of Livestock & Fisheries (Ministry of Agriculture & Forests) began the “Lao Elephant Care & Management Programme”. During 7 years, both organisations worked hand in hand to provide working elephants with free veterinary care (using mobile clinics) while their mahouts were trained in basic first aid vetcare (using the Elephant Care Manual, co-published by ElefantAsia and the FAO and free first aid kits+training by international vets).
All captive elephants were registered using microchips, official ID books and a state-of-the-art computerized database, all of which are still in use today. A national reproduction initiative known as the “Baby Bonus Programme” was also implemented. Realizing that the logging industry was no longer attractive to elephant owners due to lack of work and rampant deforestation, priority was given to professional reconversion of mahouts into ecotourism. The Elephant Conservation Center was born. In 2010, the ECC was created and registered in the Sayaboury Province, home to 75% of Lao captive elephants.
The Center was built on the banks of the Nam Tien Reservoir, a provincial protected area. With the only Elephant Hospital of Laos and a large land concession allowing for natural breeding and socialization, the Center started purchasing elephants from owners who decided to sell their animals throughout the country. Year after year, the Center grew in stature and capabilities mainly thanks to income generated by paid visits to the site. In 2012, ElefantAsia handed over its programmes to the Department of Livestock and Fisheries. The ECC entered a new partnership with France based NGO “Des Elephants et Des Hommes” (Elephants & People).
In 2015, the ECC organized a second Elephant Caravan across Sayaboury and Luang Prabang provinces. The goal was to take 20 elephants and their mahouts to Luang Prabang on the occasion of the 20th anniversary of the city’s World Heritage status as a reminder that elephants are part of Laos’ cultural and natural heritage. In 2017, the Prime Minister of Laos stopped the illegal export of 13 Lao elephants bound to the Middle-East and chose the ECC as the most suitable facility for their rehabilitation.
In 2018, ECC signed a Partnership Agreement with the Smithsonian Institution to pursue its scientific research programme. It was also offered the management of the Nam Pouy National Protected Area by the Sayaboury Province. Nam Pouy has a population of about 50 wild elephants. Monitoring and protecting this population and its habitat has become our most pressing objective, as well as rewilding captive elephants currently under our care…
https://www.elephantconservationcenter.com
Key Information
Experiences Available
Best Practices
Elephants kept in natural environment
Needs Improvement
Remote location (120 kilometers from Luang Prabang - 2.5 hours drive)
Basic, rustic accommodation
Overview
Elphant Valley project is located about six hours drive from Phnom Penh. Its primary aim is to provide a sanctuary for elephants and offers a rare opportunity
to observe the animals natural behaviors.
Key Information
Experiences Available
Best Practices
Needs Improvement
Overview
The Mondulkiri Project is managed by the Cambodia Elephant Rescue Organization, a registered Cambodian NGO
In October 2013 the Mondulkiri Project signed an agreement with Bunong indigenous elders from the Putang Village and the Orang Village. This agreement stops logging in a large area of beautiful Mondulkiri forest near Sen Monorom. The Mondulkiri Project borders the Keov Sema Protected Area so there is a lot of wildlife, from birds, to deer, wild pigs and buffalo. There are many beautiful waterfalls, swimming holes, valleys…..it is a very special place.
Mr Tree, the Cambodian founder of the Mondulkiri Project, explains why the Mondulkiri Project is very important to him:
The Mondulkiri Project is very important to me because i would really like to take care of the forest. It is difficult.
The local indigenous community needs to have an income. To make money they are cutting down the forest to sell the timber to Vietnam or to clear the forest to make small farms. As the population is growing, the need for more rice is also growing. So more and more forest is being cut down. I am really worried that soon all the forest in Mondulkiri Province will have been cut down. The thought of losing this special jungle area makes me very sad.
My idea is to protect the forest so it can be used in ways that will still provide the communities with an income, without losing the jungle itself. Providing elephant and jungle trekking experiences for tourists and developing traditional medicines from the jungle will earn income for the Bunong indigenous people. We will also be saving habitats for elephants and other endangered wildlife.
When I was young we had 2 elephants in our village, but these days there are very few elephants left.In the sanctuaries and villages close to Sen Monorom there only 41 elephants and they are growing old. There are not many wild elephants left in Cambodia’s forests because of land clearing for timber and to make rubber plantations.
The Mondulkiri Project has started a new elephant sanctuary where there are 6 elephants who walk freely around the forest eating lots of bamboo, playing in the mud and swimming in the river. There is no elephant riding by customers or staff.
In the future we hope to start a natural breeding program to help with the long term survival of elephants in Cambodia. The elephants are very well cared for as they are part of the vision for a better life for all of the communities. Our elephant sanctuary is a place where elephants get to live long and happy lives.
Best Practices
Needs Improvement
Overview
The Kulen Elephant Forest sanctuary provides for the care and well-being of retired elephants from the tourist trade at Angkor, usually giving rides.
Our mission is to provide the elephants with a happy and comfortable retirement but also to offer a fun, educational approach to elephant conservation and contribute as much as possible to preserving the remaining elephants of Cambodia.
Visitors will get a chance to learn the very real implications of elephant conservation in Cambodia. We offer an ethical, pragmatic and scientific rationale to the conservation debate, a message that we hope our visitors will understand and spread.
Key Information
8 elephants
Founded in 2011
Experiences Available
Participating in daily care for elephants
Best Practices
Needs Improvement
Overview
Green Hill Valley sanctuary provides for the care and well-being of retired work elephants, some who are many decades old such as Shwe Moe May, who is 63 years of age.
Green Hill Valley was founded in 2011 by a family with a history of working with elephants in the Myanmar Timber Enterprise (MTE). The focus is primarily on providing care for elephants that are no longer fit to work. The family realized that Myanmar elephants working in timber camps were in precarious situation as logging slows down due to a variety of factors. Another reason for starting the GHV camp was the desire to educate and share information with both local residents and foreign visitors.
In 2012, the family managed to hire several disabled elephants from the MTE and a five-year-old male was added in July 2012. Thanks to the income provided by visitors, elephants at GHV can enjoy their full retirement and receive the veterinary care they require.
Key Information
8 elephants
Founded in 2011
Experiences Available
Participating in daily care for elephants
Best Practices
Needs Improvement
Elephant Care Manual for Mahouts and Camp Managers by Preecha Phuangkum, Richard C. Lair, and Taweepoke Angkawanith
In Thailand, You Can Ride an Elephant. But Should You? The New York Times
Prepared by Patrick Morris, Indochina Travel & Adam O'Keefe, Abercrombie & Kent, Thailand