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Volunteering with elephants - which camp?

Replies: 5 - Last Post: 18-Nov-2007 07:17 Last Post By: losing_touch

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sjgood

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17-Nov-2007 08:29
Posts:  19

Volunteering with elephants - which camp?

Hello,
I'm hoping to spend a week volunteering at an elephant sancuary - I have searched these forums and the internet and there appears to be 3 elephant camps in thailand that I could apply to:
1) Elephant Nature Park - Chang Mai
2) Elephant Mahout Project – Pattaya
3) Elephant Refuge and Education Center – 160km south of bangkok – Cha-am
Has anyone had any expeience working at Pattaya or Cha-am (the Chang Mai camp has been strongly recomended but I'm not too sure if I fancy travelling so far up north!)
Also, is anyone else aware of another place where I can volunteer, either in Thailand or in Malaysia, Cambodia, Vietnam?
Thanks for your help

losing_touch

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17-Nov-2007 08:41
Posts:  7,978

1

I would look into Chiang Dao - just north of Chiang Mai. I am not sure if you can volunteer there though. I am having trouble finding information myself. It is reportedly the best in the area. I have yet to go there, but I will soon!

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sunnysayan

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17-Nov-2007 19:01
Posts:  109

losing_touch

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17-Nov-2007 20:47
Posts:  7,978

3

#2 - I really don't like that site. I spent a few minutes looking around it. I cannot find a way to visit the park on my own. Why would they keep their location a secret? I am sure that it is known by people. I am not going to look into it. They have "offices" in Chiang Mai! That seems ridiculous. If they were trying to solicit as much help as they could, then why wouldn't they invite the public to their locations. Something smells a bit fishy here!

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Metropolitan

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17-Nov-2007 21:51
Posts:  1,333

4

#3 they keep numbers down limiting themselves to around 50 visitors per day. It was fully booked when I visited last month. 2 people on our group wanted to stay overnight but as there was no room they could not be accommodated. There's nothing "fishy" about it at all.

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