Dive into the heart of Thailand’s Kuiburi National Park and make a real impact on elephant conservation! Join Bring The Elephant Home’s groundbreaking research team and experience the thrill of studying majestic Asian elephants up close.
- Where: BTEH Field Station – Kuiburi National Park, Thailand
- When: Nov 27 – Dec 6, 2024
- Costs*: 1.750 euros / 1.950 USD
As one of eight elite research assistants, you’ll track elephants through lush jungles, decode their behaviours, and work alongside expert researchers and local communities. Help create cutting-edge ID databases, contribute to vital conservation projects, and be part of the movement transforming human-elephant conflict into harmonious coexistence. Don’t just watch nature documentaries – live one! Apply now for this once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to protect these gentle giants and shape the future of wildlife conservation!
- Support local communities
- Conduct elephant conservation research
- Contribute to community-based conservation
- Engage with researchers and community leaders
- Feel immersed in nature
During the program, you will have a unique opportunity to learn about elephant behaviour, elephant identification, community conservation and human-elephant coexistence and groundbreaking conservation mitigation tactics as well as contributing to sustainable solutions for a better future for elephants worldwide!
Elephant conservation activities
You will get involved in multiple activities, which may vary from:
- Track and identify wild elephants and help develop groundbreaking elephant ID systems
- Record elephant behaviour to contribute to critical research on tourism pressure
- Conduct transect surveys to estimate the elephant population
- Contribute to elephant identification kit and database
- Contribute to research surrounding beehive fences to mitigate conflict
- Contribute to community cooperatives and product-making
- Engage in community-based human-elephant coexistence projects
Other tasks to support elephant conservation: data analysis, fundraising, (social) media, website, graphic design, etc.
Other benefits
- Regular elephant observation safaris with expert guides to study Asian elephants and the chance to see other endemic southeastern asian species
- Endless possibilities to emerge yourself in nature, form meaningful connections, and observe natural animal behaviour.
- Immersion in a community actively living with and co-existing with elephants.
- Immersion in human-elephant co-existence strategies
- Gaining experience at an international conservation organisation.
- Staying in a beautiful location surrounded by wildlife.
- Network opportunities with like-minded people and collaboration with local partner organisations.
Elephant conservation expedition participant qualifications
The most important requirements are that you are passionate about elephants, and motivated to make a real change. We especially welcome people who:
- Are independent, have great team spirit and dependability
- Are accountable and dependable
- Have an optimistic and flexible attitude
- Have the ability to think in terms of creative and practical solutions
- Speak and write English proficiently
- Are aged over 21 years old
We welcome a maximum of eight elephant research assistants with different skills and experiences useful for all activities. A few examples of skills we value: science (e.g. social, animal behaviour or environmental), communication (developing social media and educational tools), GIS, analysing tracking data, (conservation) education, and more.
Program costs
10 days: 1.750 euros / 1.950 USD*
- This includes shared accommodation at a beautiful guesthouse (Kongmun Resort) located within the village, all meals (vegetarian), coffee/tea/water, (limited) internet access, and on-the-ground transport
- All research drives in the beautiful Kuiburi National Park
- Lectures from multiple elephant research and community conservation experts
- A one-day trip to Khao Sam Roi Yot national park and Phraya Nakhon Cave
- The participation fee excludes flights and personal expenses (e.g. local SIM card, snacks, alcoholic drinks, meals/drinks during the day trip to Phraya Nakhon Cave)
We can provide all applicants with personal fundraiser pages so you can raise financial support for your contribution to elephant conservation and limit your costs.
*All funds raised from participating in this unique experience are donations and will directly contribute to elephant research and community conservation projects.
Background
Ruam Thai village (Had Kham sub-district, Kui Buri district, Prachuap Khiri Khan): The village borders Kuiburi National Park, home to approximately 300 wild elephants. The majority of residents plant pineapple as their main source of income, but this attracts elephants into agricultural areas, and results in conflict between humans and elephants. Several community members have started making products, coordinating ecotourism activities, and developing alternative livelihoods to diversify their income streams.
Our research suggests that when local people are involved in conservation work, they are more tolerant of wild elephants and willing to coexist. Bring The Elephant Home, have partnered with this community for several years, and believes in a community-based approach that supports local people to be conservation leaders. While the people in Ruam Thai village experience challenges as a result of their proximity to elephants, activities that foster social cohesion and skills development build social, economic and ecological resilience and increase this community’s ability to coexist with elephants.
Not ticking all the boxes?
If you are super motivated but not sure if you can meet all the requirements, you might be able to help us reach our goals in a different way. Please contact us with your ideas, and we can discuss the possibilities.
* All funds raised from participating in this unique experience are donations and will contribute to elephant research and conservation projects.
We look forward to your application! .
Application and selection process
- You can express your interest through this form.
- After the application, we will contact you with more information about the program.
- We will make a selection of suitable applicants and inform you personally.
- Before confirming your stay, we would like to have a video call to get to know you better, talk about your preferred activities, and decide which tasks would suit you and which skills are most needed for the program.
- As soon as possible after meeting you we will confirm whether you can join the program.
- In case of any questions, please contact us at brooke@bteh.org
Please express your interest as soon as possible!
Cancellation Policy:
Non-Refundable Deposits:
- Participants are required to pay a non-refundable deposit of 500 euro upon booking to secure their spot in the program. This deposit is typically not refundable regardless of when the cancellation occurs.
Cancellation periods apply, such as:
- Early cancellation: Cancellations made well in advance of the start date of the program (3 months) will be given a full refund but may lose their deposit depending on the circumstance.
- Last-minute cancellation: Cancellations made within 1 month before the start date will lose their deposit
Exceptions:
- Extenuating circumstances: In cases of emergencies or unavoidable circumstances, such as illness or family emergencies there may be an exception. Participants may need to provide documentation to support their claim.
- Instead of a refund, participants may be offered the option to reschedule their participation for a future date, depending on availability and the organization’s policies.
