A NEW CHAPTER FOR THE THAI ELEPHANT AND ITS MAHOUT:
THE SEARCH FOR SOLUTIONS
ELEPHANT HELP PROJECT (EHP)
http://www.elephanthelp.org/
The Elephant Help Project (EHP) was established as a non-profit organisation supported by participating organisations, companies and individuals sharing the common objective of helping Thai elephants.
EHP is co-funded by Siam Safari and the Dusit Laguna Resort, two companies based on Phuket Island. The EHP committee is made up of members from both the public and private sector.
MEMBERS OF THE ELEPHANT HELP PROJECT COMMITTEE
- Mr Sam Erik Ruttmann - Dusit Laguna Resort Hotel
- Mr Kitti Phatanachinda - Dusit Laguna Resort Hotel
- Mr Robert Greifenberg - Siam Safari Nature Tours Co., Ltd.
- Mr Anupharp Thirarath - Tourism Authority of Thailand Southern Office: Region 4
- Mr Viset Sontichai - Thai Airways International Plc.
- Mr Samart Charanyanon - Phuket Provincial Livestock Office
- Mr Soontorn Samansukuman - Phuket Provincial Forest Office
- Mr Kiat Wimonsopa - Siam Commmercial Bank, Phuket Branch
- Mr Sithi Tandavanitj - Thai Hotels Association - Southern Chapter
- Mr Sombat Atiset - Phuket Tourist Association
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EHP was launched on November 25, 1998, and has received considerable support since.
EHP's objectives are to raise funds primarily from tourism and use these funds to support elephant welfare and conservation projects in Phuket and Southern Thailand. In the present economic environment, there are few traditional sources of funds left to help elephants in Thailand, and EHP, using the resources of the tourism industry, conducts fund-raising activities and organises events to raise funds to help Thailand's elephants.
EHP will concentrate on raising funds to run elephant welfare projects on Phuket Island. If sufficient funds are raised, then EHP will also support elephant conservation projects in Southern Thailand. A long term objective is to help establish an elephant sanctuary in neighbouring Phang-nga province.
EHP Projects and Action
Elephant Help is fulfilling its aims and objectives through initiating a number of projects to assist elephant welfare and conservation in Phuket and Southern Thailand.
Elephant Day
March 13 has been designated Elephant Day in Thailand, and to celebrate this day, Elephant Help visited elephant camps on Phuket Island and distributed fruit hampers to the elephants.
Donation Boxes
EHP has distributed more than 30 donation boxes around Phuket Island. The boxes are placed on a bamboo stand with a poster offering information about the Elephant Help Project attached. Donations collected are used effectively to help the elephants on the island.
There are also a number of other longer projects and campaigns EHP is working on:
- Elephant Health Check
- Reflective Leg Bands for Elephants
- "Ivory Belongs on Elephants" Campaign
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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
- 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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