After the destruction of vast areas of forests and devastating floods, the Thai government enforced a logging ban in 1989.
While this was good news for the rainforests, it had a devastating consequence on the lives of thousands of elephants who had been domesticated and used in the logging industry.
With their owners out of work, in many cases these elephants were reduced to a life of street begging. Scorching city tarmac, pollution, noise, traffic and a poor and insufficient diet have resulted in street elephants having an estimated life expectancy of just five years.
Founded in 2006, the Golden Triangle Asian Elephant Foundation (GTAEF) provides viable alternative livelihoods for 27 elephants and their mahouts and a high standard of health and welfare for both. To discourage wildlife trade, the elephants are rented along with their mahouts, which provides their carers with an alternative to begging. The health of the elephants is improved by providing regular health care, food supplements, exercise, veterinary care and bathing. Local schools, community groups and tourists are encouraged to visit the elephant camp where they can learn about the plight of Thailand’s elephants and best practice in captivity. Monthly workshops with children about the issues facing the Asian elephant in Thailand and the need to conserve them reinforce this awareness.
Elephant Family has been supporting the upkeep of a female and her calf – Lynchee and Poon Larb – and their mahout since 2006, on the basis that the project can prevent the capture of further wild elephants, and that best practice guidelines for the keeping of captive elephants can be respected.
Street Elephant Rescue Project
Aim:
To provide an alternative livelihood for Thai street elephants and their mahouts, and to raise awareness about the issues facing Asian elephants in Thailand amongst tourists, local communities and schoolchildren.
Results:
The year saw significant improvement in the health and welfare of 27 street elephants, through regular care, food supplements, exercise, veterinary care and bathing. Monthly workshops have taught children about the issues facing the Asian elephant in Thailand and the need to conserve them. And an international volunteer scheme at the camp has increased global awareness of the problem. In a larger context, networks have been formed with government and non-government elephant conservation welfare agencies across Thailand.
Status:
Supported since 2006
