A NEW CHAPTER FOR THE THAI ELEPHANT AND ITS MAHOUT:
THE SEARCH FOR SOLUTIONS
Introducing
TREASURE OUR ELEPHANTS FUND -
FOUNDATION FOR THE CONSERVATION OF NORTHERN ELEPHANTS
The Treasure Our Elephants Fund - Foundation for the Conservation of Northern Elephants was founded in July 1993 to help elephants in the 11 northern provinces of Thailand: Chiang Mai, Chiang Rai, Lampang, Lamphun, Mae Hong Son, Nan, Phayao, Prae, Sukhothai, Tak and Uttaradit.
The Treasure Our Elephants Fund - Foundation for the Conservation of Northern Elephants was established to provide continuing assistance to the population of elephants in the area - particularly the growing number that are in distress. At the same time, the Foundation has been working towards longer term solutions for the survival of the Asian elephant population in Thailand.
The Foundation's Approach
In view of the gravity and urgency of the situation, and now that both governmental and non-governmental groups (NGOs) have recognised the problems at hand, whenever possible, the Foundation works through existing organisations including the Forest Industry Organization (FIO), the National Elephant Institute (formerly known as the Thai Elephant Conservation Center) in Lampang, the Governor's Provincial Councils, local councils and NGOs.
Given that the Foundation's principle objective it to help the elephants, overhead costs are kept to a minimum, and the Foundation relies heavily on volunteers.
Activities of the Foundation
Treasure Our Elephants currently works in six main areas:
- Elephant Census
In order to have a better understanding of the size and nature of the challenges we face and promote a systematic approach to solving problems, the Treasure Our Elephants is working with provincial and local authorities in the conduct of an "elephant census" via which the numbers of elephants in each of the locations in the upper northern region are being 'catalogued' according to sex, age, physical condition and living conditions, along with the identity of the elephant's owners/employers and mahouts. The census in Mae Hong Son province was completed in 1998 and is now underway in other areas.
- Recovery of the Elephant Habitat
Any long-range strategy for saving Thai elephants will involve the recovery and restoration of their natural habitats. In 1998, Treasure Our Elephants was able to collect sufficient donations to subsidize the relocation of illegal squatters from 200 rai (80 acres) of Forestry Department land adjacent to the FIO Centre in Lampang province. The land is now being restored for use by elephants by planting both food and medicinal vegetation. In 1999, the Foundation hopes to recover an additional 200 rai of habitat adjacent to the first area.
- Travelling Volunteer Veterinarians
The Treasure Our Elephants foundation pays for the cost of needed medical supplies for elephants, along with the out-of-pocket expenses of volunteer veterinarians from the public and private sectors to enable them to visit elephants in their local areas to check on the health and well-being of the animals, to treat injured and sick elephants, and to provide advice and information to the owners.
- The foundation is also in the process of publishing a book on elephant care to be distributed to owners and mahouts.
- Elephant Foster Parents
It is particularly painful to see elephants rendered helpless by injury, sickness, or malnutrition. Under the "Foster Parents" programme developed by the Treasure Our Elephants foundation, a donation of US$900 (30,000 Baht) ensures adequate food and medical care for an elephant, along with financial assistance to the animal's mahout for an entire year.
- Information and Education
Lasting change in the condition of Thailand's elephant population depends on bringing about basic change in the attitudes and practices of those directly involved with elephants, of government officials, and of the general public. Hence, the foundation places a major emphasis on the provision of information and education through both the mass media and other more direct means.
Apart from informing the Thai public, especially young people, about the protection of Thai elephants, the foundation seeks to advise those involved in the legislative process about the need for modern legislation concerning elephants and to urge those who enforce the laws to insure that everyone complies with the rules.
- Elephant Distress Hotline
The Treasure Our Elephants foundation maintains a "Hotline" to receive information about elephants who are injured, ill, mistreated, or otherwise in need of assistance. Upon receipt of such information by phone, fax, or e-mail, the foundation does its best to assist.
Contact information:
Treasure Our Elephants Fund -
Foundation for the Conservation of Northern Elephants
Web site: www.treasurethaielephants.org
IN BANGKOK
Tel: 66-(0)-2252-0141
Fax: 66-(0)-2252-0142
E-mail: info@treasurethaielephants.org
Postal address:
2/4 Wireless Road, Patumwan, Bangkok 10330
IN CHIANG MAI
Tel: 66-53-242-291
Fax: 66-53-300-020
Postal address:
29/4 Toonghotel Road, Muang, Chiang Mai 5000
GENERAL DONATIONS
Donations, in any amount, make a difference and will go towards the funding of support activities such as the Travelling Volunteer Veterinarians service and the Elephant Consensus.
CORPORATE PARTNERS
Companies that are in a position to donate medication, medical supplies (such as syringes/hypodermic needles), skin care products, transportation equipment or supplies, etc. are welcome as Corporate Partners of Treasure Our Elephants.
Please contact the foundation for details.
SPECIAL ACKNOWLEDGEMENT
We take this opportunity to sincerely thank Ms Bilaibhan Sampatisiri, President of Treasure Our Elephants Fund - Foundation for the Conservation of Northern Elephants, Mr Chanatt Lauhawatana, Managing Director of the Forest Industry Organization, the parent organization of the National Elephant Institute of Thailand, and Mr Richard Lair, a leading authority on the Asian elephant who has devoted over twenty years working with the animals and studying conservation problems across Asia, author of "Gone Astray: The Care and Management of the Asian Elephant in Domesticity" and currently advisor to the National Elephant Institute (NEI) in Lampang, Thailand, for the kind advice and guidance, tremendous insight and enthusiastic support extended to News Room on this special feature. All images © National Elephant Institute.
Sources of Reference
- The National Elephant Institute
Forest Industry Organization
A New Hope for Elephant Conservation
www.thaielephant.net
- Treasure Our Elephants-
Foundation for the Conservation of Northern Elephants
www.treasurethaielephants.org
- The Elephant in Thai Life and Legend
Published by Monsoon Editions Ltd. Partnership
ISBN 974-86302-9-3
- "Important Elephants of the Nation"
from the chapter on elephants by Saimai Jobkolsuk
in "Suriyothai" produced by Khunying Busaya Snidvongs na Ayudhya
ISBN 974-272-379-6
- "Running out of elephants" and "Concern for national animal"
by Supradit Kanwanich, Bangkok Post/Perspective - Sunday, January 12, 2003
- Elephant Help Project
http://www.elephanthelp.org/
- http://www.welcome-to.chiangmai-chiangrai.com/elep-nationalday.htm
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