Description:
The project is dedicated to helping the domestic elephant population and conserving their habitat. The project primarily works with the tribal Phnong (Bunong) peoples to help them, help their elephants. The end goal is the improvement of the welfare and living conditions of the elephants and to provide a sustainable income for the Mahouts (elephant keepers) and their families.
The project intends to promote the development of a new legal classification of forest - "Elephant Forest" - forest that is primarily for the use of a village's domestic elephants. These managed forests will be of a suitable area, contain enough foodstuffs, forest cover and sufficient water to cope with the needs of a village's domestic elephant population and give the elephants daily time away from human activity.
The project provides an alternative lifestyle for the domesticated working elephants closer to their natural living conditions in the forest. The elephant keepers are provided with an alternative income and the elephants are provided with veterinary care and no longer work long hours.
Volunteers work a 5 day week. You will work closely with the Mahouts who always accompany the elephants. Each volunteer will be assigned their own elephant for the duration of their stay, unless volunteers are travelling as a couple.
A typical week:
Saturday: Meet and greet in Phnom Penh, overnight in guesthouse.
Sunday: Travel to the project by taxi through various small Cambodian villages.
Monday to Friday:
* Learning about the project and the elephants.
* Learning how to ride and control the elephant.
* Early morning walk to collect the elephants from their overnight location in the forest.
* Riding the elephants into the forest to forage and ensure that nobody encroaches on the protected land to illegally log the trees.
* Bathing and cleaning the elephants.
* Collecting rare orchids from recently logged areas before the land is burnt and the orchids are lost.
* Working with the local Phnong staff to improve the living conditions of the elephants.
Saturday and Sunday are free time which can be used to further explore the forest and it's amazing variety of creatures. Visits to the town can be made to explore the local markets in the town of Sen Monoron. Many waterfalls are close by some being amongst the largest in Cambodia.
The elephants of Cambodia need help, there is little education on the care of domesticated elephants and few possibilities of veterinary assistance when required. The project provides vital jobs for the local population and care for their elephants. Modulkiri is being rapidly deforested and the project protects an area of "elephant forest" for the local population and the creatures that inhabit the area. The basic fact is - the more funding that can be raised, the more forest can be protected for the future.
Highlights:
Bathing the elephants in the rivers and walking through the forest with these magnificent animals is an unforgettable experience. Meeting and interacting with the tribal Phnong people of Cambodia is a unique opportunity of this project.
Qualifications / Skills Needed:
Volunteers must be 18 or older and be able to speak English
Language:
English
Cost in US$: From $800
Cost Includes:
Excursions,
Food,
Housing,
In-country orientation/Training,
In-country staff support,
Registration fees
and Written materials pre-departure
- First night accommodation in Phnom Penh
- Sunday Transfer to the remote province of Mondulkiri
- All main meals
- Training in the riding and controlling of your elephant
- Full in country support from the project staff
- Comprehensive information brochure
- Assistance and advise for travelling to Cambodia
- Saturday transfer back to Phnom Penh
Experience Required: no
Typical Volunteer Projects:
animal welfare,
conservation,
eco-tourism,
environment,
indigenous issues,
reforestation,
veterinary
and volunteering
Typical Volunteer: Volunteering is an amazing way to gain an insight into the culture of a country. Once you volunteer you are no longer just another tourist, you will work intimately with the local staff and more importantly give a special gift to the project and community you visit. Volunteering is for those who have an interest in other cultures and want to help those less fortunate than themselves. Also to meet like minded people, adventurous, open minded and with a willingness to make a difference.
Age Range: 18 to 70
This Program is open to
Worldwide
Participants.
This Program is also open to
Families, Couples and Individuals.
Typical Living Arrangement:
Group living
Participants Travel to Cambodia
in Groups
Typically Participants Work
Independently
Application Process Involves:
- Online Application plus Application Assessment
Typically The Application Process Time Is 1 week
Globalteer's Mission Statement: Globalteer is a UK registered charity that serves to help those in need. We aim to provide support to communities and projects in need, to raise awareness in developed countries of the plight faced by poverty stricken countries, and to educate locals and volunteers about environmental issues and the need to protect wildlife. We promote sustainable development for the benefit of the public through the relief of poverty and the improvement of the conditions of life in socially and disadvantaged communities. We also promote humane behavior towards animals by providing appropriate care, protection, treatment and security for animals which are in need of care and attention by reason of sickness, maltreatment, poor circumstances or ill usage; and to educate the public in matters pertaining to animal welfare in general and the prevention of cruelty and suffering among animals.
Year Founded: 2006