In Thailand, elephants, as well as other wildlife, are abused for human gain and gratification. Most commonly they are exploited and chained up in trekking camps so tourists can ride them, 'trained' to perform in circuses or other entertainment venues or are forced to beg on the streets.
Every ‘working’ elephant in these abusive industries only knows a lifetime of pain, starting with the cruel and unnatural separation from their mother, following the "phajaan" process during which they break the spirit of the young baby elephant to be a slave to man for a lifetime – followed by many more years of submission, pain and torture.
WFFT set up the first chain-free elephant sanctuary in Asia to provide a better life to gentle giants. Our sanctuary provides huge natural enclosures where the rescued elephants receive first-class medical care through our elephant hospital, a nutritious diet and most critically, are never chained up, or forced to work ever again.
As of September 2021, WFFT cares for 25 elephants rescued from terrible situations of abuse. Many of them suffered for decades in the tourist, logging, entertainment or begging industries. Each elephant costs approximately $275 per month to feed. With more funds, we could rescue more elephants from a life of servitude.
With thousands of elephants being exploited throughout Thailand, these amazing animals really need help.
