Numbers of wild Elephants have been decreasing throughout Asia at an alarming rate.  They face problems such as poaching and baby Elephants being supplied to the tourist trade and deforestation, leading to loss of their habitat.

Thailand has the largest number of captive Elephants anywhere in the world.  In 1989, the Thai Government banned logging to protect the forests.  Elephants were held captive to work in these forests with man to help destroy their habitat.  When the ban came in, it left thousands of Elephants and their Mahouts out of work and in desperation they turned to tourism.

Due to high demand Elephants have become exploited in this industy, living in terrible conditions, chained up all day etc.

Mahouts Foundation was set up to facilitate change and work towards a better future and change in attitude to return Elephants to as natural environment as possible. 

In August, I am volunteering to work in an Elephant Sanctuary in the Umphang region of Thailand for 2 weeks.  I will be helping out the Mahouts who provide sanctuary for retired Elephants who once worked in the logging and toursit trade.  My work will be a combination of exercising, feeding and washing the Elephants plus working alongside the other workers at the sanctuary.

I hope to make a difference and give some of my love and care to these amazing animals.