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GYC2814 - Elephant rescue Country: Thailand Cost: £275.00 Cost Includes: The price includes accommodation and food but does not include flight, insurance, kit, pickup from airport or visas    Duration: 1 week Company Rep Nearby: All the time 0845 344 7535 or

 

	This placement would suit... someone who would love to work with and learn about elephants in an amazing natural environment. Please contact us to find out more and we can direct you to our website which has all the details or give you a call to tell you all about it. Introduction You will help care for these beautiful creatures, working alongside professional mahouts (elephant keepers). The Centre gives refuge to domesticated elephants that have been roaming the streets of Bangkok and other cities. About the Centre and the elephants The aim of the Centre is to give refuge to domestic elephants in an environment as close to nature as possible. The elephants are housed at night in large enclosures without having to be being chained up. During the day the elephants roam the bordering forest, accompanied by mahouts and volunteers, to forage from natural resources. There are currently four elephants who live at the Centre with their mahouts. The Centre forms part of the larger Wildlife Rescue Centre where we also have volunteer placements. It is based on temple grounds near Thayang in the South of Thailand, about 115 miles South of Bangkok and about 15 miles from the beaches of Cha Am and Hua Hin. A typical week Volunteers duties include (accompanied by experienced mahouts at all times): Going to the forest at 6.30am to collect the elephants and ride them back to the centre Cleaning up the elephant enclosure Hosing down and cleaning the elephants Swimming with the elephants in the lake in front of the Centre Taking the elephants back to the forest around 2.30pm for the night Going out several times a week to pick bananas and pineapples. Tasks are given to all volunteers on a rotation basis so everyone gets to work on all different parts of the project. Lifestyle Including wildlife rescue volunteers, there will usually be about 10 - 15 volunteers at the Centre at one time and you will all live in shared rooms on-site. After work you can relax at the Centre, socialising with other volunteers or watching a movie on Satellite television - or you can walk five minutes into the small town where you can check emails, get laundry done and meet some of the locals. Volunteers also regularly club together and organise a taxi for an evening trip to Hua Hin to enjoy the entertainment in this bigger town. On days off you are free to explore the local area or visit the excellent beaches which are about 15 miles away. What's included A comprehensive information pack Travel advice and assistance Accommodation for the duration of the placement (a simple shared room) All main meals Ongoing support, help and advice from our local team. We can arrange a taxi to pick you up at Bangkok airport or your hotel and take you to the centre. Dates, duration and prices This placement lasts for 1-3 weeks. Placements start every week, on a Sunday. Prices: 1 week - £275, 2 weeks - £425, 3 weeks - £575. The benefit and requirements By volunteering at the Centre you will make a major contribution to elephants in Thailand. Your time and efforts will help to care for the elephants, and the majority of the programme cost will go direct to the Centre providing a critical source of funding for their future work. On a personal level you will have a unique opportunity to work alongside some incredible creatures and gain the satisfaction of helping to make a difference to their lives. No previous experience is required, just enthusiasm, energy and a willingness to get involved. Our users say: "I had an amazing time! Thank you so much! The centre is amazing, and is situated on such a beautiful location. The elephants were so much fun to work with, its so good to see animals that have had such a bad time finally be happy. The mahouts were lovely and everyone was really welcoming. I am definitely looking to return next year. It was better than I imagined and I cant stop talking about it. Thank you for all your help before the trip, everything you advised me was spot on!" - Nina "I had an absolutely amazing time in Thailand on the 2 week Elephant Care package. To be so close to these magnificent animals was simply breathtaking. There are so many memories that I have taken back home with me; from the great people that I met to swimming with the Elephants in the lake in front of the centre. The local people are so friendly and welcome all the volunteers into their community with open arms. This has probably been the best holiday I've had (although I need another one to recover) and have recommended it to my friends. I was never into the typical beach holiday but this has sparked a new interest in me and I will always look at volunteer holidays in the future. Thanks for a great experience that will stay with me for a long time to come." - Penny 0845 344 7535 POD - Personal Overseas Development: PoD provides the opportunity for people to volunteer and make a difference overseas, while experiencing incredible parts of the world that are rich in culture, variety and natural beauty. We also arrange placements and courses for people wanting to develop their skills in amazing locations. Great value 1 week to 3 month placements in Cambodia, Belize, Malawi, Nepal, Peru, Tanzania and Thailand. PoD is a small non-profit organisation that focuses on quality and safety rather than quantity.