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Surin is known as the elephant capital of Asia, dominated by the domestication of elephants since ancient times. Throughout Thailand, every elephant has an "owner" (also known as a Mahout), and very few are still left in the wild. The Mahouts all have a special bond with their elephants, because without them there would be no source of income being brought in for themselves and their families. Surin is literally home to 300 domesticated elephants; 300 domesticated elephants that are no longer in the wild and no longer roaming around with their families! To me, this is a pessimistic truth because the Asian Elephant is known to live in herds together until they die. The mother and female babies never leave each other's side and are bonded together for life.
The elephants are exploited during festivals celebrating their being, which gather international tourists and locals who are uneducated about these creatures in Surin. Elephant ownership is a controversial issue. On one hand you have the elephants unable to meander in the wild and being beat by the Mahouts with painful looking sticks, and on the other hand there lie poachers who would wipe out the entire species in their natural habitat by killing them. Maybe there is little choice left for the elephants.
The Elephant Nature Foundation is a wonderful project that helps get these street begging elephants out of the cities and back to a natural setting, where they can bond as family groups and wander without chains. At the same time, the foundation provides a sustainable source of income for the mahouts & their families so they do not have to rely on tourists or elephants circuses for money.
I have been given the amazing opportunity to travel to Thailand this summer for 4 weeks and contribute to the overall well-being of the people and elephants of Thailand. I will have the opportunity to learn the Thai culture and language and contribute my skills and knowledge to the project! Elephants are my favorite animal and my friends and family know about my obsession to help and protect them. They are amazing, sacred creatures, but are exploited.
It would mean the world to me to have the support of all my friends and family, so that I can achieve my dream to travel to Thailand and help bring the elephants back to their natural habitat. These organizations are nothing without their volunteers. If you can contribute anthing to this positive change in Thailand, it would be greatly appreciated. The money will go towards funding some of the trip and airfare to get me to Asia. Thank you!
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