There are over 300 elephants registered in the Surin province and the vast majority of them are trapped in the unfortunate trade of street begging. This is a terrible life for elephants who require thousands of pounds of fresh vegetables and clean water daily. Street begging reduces an elephant’s life expectancy by at least 50%. Despite differences in opinion on other matters, all elephant conservation organizations agree that street begging is wrong.

The Surin government has approached Elephant Nature Foundation to help develop elephant-based tourism in Surin. With their support, our goal is to establish sustainably managed elephant tourism as an alternative to both street begging and to other forms of tourism, such as circuses and elephant rides. Families of elephants will roam freely in natural habitat and their mahouts will be provided with a steady income. This income will supplement some of the money that the mahouts previously made street begging with their elephant, thereby encouraging them to stay at the park.

The impact this project will have for elephant conservation is huge. The Surin government has already set aside over 2,000 acres of land, enough to maintain a breeding population of 300 elephants, approximately 10% of the existing population of Asian elephants living in captivity in Thailand today. In Surin, we have a chance to change history – to save the Asian elephant from extinction and give them a life worth living for generations to come.

— Surin Volunteers —

Elephant Nature Foundation is recruiting volunteers to participate in this important project. Volunteers are needed to help reforest elephant habitat that has been destroyed by decades of logging.

We will also focus on community development, aiming to show that by participating in the Surin project, mahouts are helping their community and their elephants. And of course our volunteers will have lots of time to feed and bathe the elephants while watching them enjoy their newfound freedom.

All groups begin on Monday mornings in Bangkok and we will travel together to the project site. Details on where the group should meet will be sent once all bookings and travel details are confirmed. All transportation costs are included in the volunteer fee.

Surin volunteers also have the option of traveling with the group to continue a second week of volunteering at our original and renowned conservation project located north of Chiang Mai, Elephant Nature Park. This special offer will allow you to first help build a new sanctuary, and then come help maintain one already in full operation.

Cost: 12,000 Thai Baht ($361.56 or £231.63)* for 7 days/6 nights

*Currency conversions are based on the rates published by the European Central Bank and are updated continuously throughout the day. The exchange rate used by your bank or credit card may vary slightly.

When: The next groups start in Bangkok on February 22nd, March 15th, April 5th, and April 19th.

What's Provided: Food, accommodation, and a full schedule of activities are provided, along with an English speaking local guide and a project leader. Transportation following the volunteer week (returning either to Bangkok or Chiang Mai) is also provided.

What To Bring: Surin Project volunteers should bring comfortable clothes that they won't mind getting dirty, a towel and toiletries, a flashlight/torch, mosquito repellent, and sunscreen. Depending on the time of year of your visit, rain gear (including mud boots) and/or warm clothes might also be appropriate. And of course, don't forget your camera too!

Please email Surin@ElephantNatureFoundation.org for more information and to apply for this exciting new volunteer experience today!