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Treasure Our Elephants currently works
in six main areas:
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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, 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.
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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.
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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.
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Volunteers in action |
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The foundation is also in the process of publishing
a book on elephant care to be distributed to owners and
mahouts.
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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$1000 (40,000 Baht)
ensures adequate food and medical care for an elephant,
along with financial assistance to the animal's mahout
for an entire year.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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Treasure Our
Elephants Fund –
Foundation for the
Conservation of Northern Elephants
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Ms. Bilaibhan Sampatisiri -
President of Treasure
Our Elephants checks on an elephant that's making a speedy
recovery
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| 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. |
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.
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