Wildlife Friends Foundation Thailand
Boonmee happily receives her daily shower
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Like enormous paper fans, two giant ears flap slowly against gray wrinkled skin. Her muscular trunk dips in and out of the round stone trough of water below, in search of bananas and fresh slices of watermelon, tail swinging gently from side-to-side. Long, thick eyelashes shade her dark brown eyes, shining with a quiet happiness in the morning sun. Science has confirmed that elephants are highly intelligent and strongly emotive and in this moment, there’s no question that Boonmee (Thai for “Virtue”), is content.
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Visitors of Wildlife Friends Foundation Thailand (WFFT) spray and scrub Boonmee’s wide torso and gently sloped back. As instructed, they carefully avoid her left rear leg where she has a large abscess. It’s a constant reminder of the bullhook that repeatedly pierced her skin at a nearby trekking (elephant riding) camp for tourists. At 57, Boonmee is also blind in her left eye and has a large indent across her spine from decades of weight on her back, a permanent injury that most of the 13 rescued Asian elephants at WFFT share. Her abscess is treated twice a week at the nearby state of the art animal hospital, where two full time vets re-clean the wound. In the next year, she will be taken to the soon-to-be constructed elephant hospital at WFFT, the first of its kind in Thailand. But for now, she is happily sprayed down with cold water as her favorite time of day plays out.
Many of the monkeys at WFFT are ex-performers, coconut monkeys, or pets used for tourism. Some suffer brain trauma from their mistreatment.
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Boonmee is one of 13 happy elephants at WFFT, and one of 450 happy animals. Sun Bears, Gibbons, Macaques, Asiatic Black Bears, dogs, reptiles and other rescues live in large, open enclosures throughout the large forested complex, just over two hours south of Bangkok in Petchaburi Province. Assisted by about 40 volunteers, the dedicated staff operate the foundation, care for the animals, and facilitate community outreach and youth education programs. With a mission to educate about the mistreatment of animals in Thailand, no animal is ever turned away. |
Every animal at WFFT has a name and a story. Many of the primate, monkey and bear rescues were once in the tourism industry; either performing in shows or used as street attractions for passers-by to hold in photos (easy to hold because they’ve been drugged).
Some of the animals were household pets, cute and cuddly as babies but then difficult to manage as they grew older. Most animals are abandoned before WFFT receives a call, with the exception of the elephants that WFFT pays to rescue. With limited government regulation and no authority to confiscate, the dedicated group works with the knowledge that most captive animals throughout Thailand continue to be terribly mistreated.
Some of the animals were household pets, cute and cuddly as babies but then difficult to manage as they grew older. Most animals are abandoned before WFFT receives a call, with the exception of the elephants that WFFT pays to rescue. With limited government regulation and no authority to confiscate, the dedicated group works with the knowledge that most captive animals throughout Thailand continue to be terribly mistreated.
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The abuse is perpetuated by the millions of tourists that visit Thailand each year. The continued demand for monkey shows, “Tiger temples,” and elephant treks results in a lack of government intervention. It’s up to visitors to make educated decisions and without witnessing the abuse first-hand, it’s easy to turn a blind eye. But painting pictures, throwing footballs, dancing, and marching with 500 pounds of weight on their back are not typical animal behaviors. The fact is, the only way an elephant will perform these acts is through a training process that is often brutal.
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Boonmee, age 57, enjoying her daily walk around the grounds
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The process is called the kraal, which translates to “crush.” The term refers to a metaphorical crushing of the animal’s spirit, a process of domestication that attempts to remove its natural behaviors, allowing it to be used for tourism. During the “crush,” captured wild elephants are placed in a large cage and tied with ropes to keep them from moving. They are often beaten with sticks, chains, or bullhooks during this period, and sometimes deprived of food, water, and sleep to ensure their submissiveness. Others are bred in captivity, where they will live their entire lives. These captive, “domesticated” elephants, account for approximately half of Thailand’s total elephant population. They will be used to make profits, managed by “mahouts,” or trainers, who use bullhooks to reinforce behaviors. They work long days only to be chained each night, kept apart from one another, unable to socialize. While Boonmee and the other elephants at WFFT now have a safe environment to live out the rest of their lives, the sad reality is that WFFT is only able to buy their “freedom” once they are old, injured and no longer valuable to their owners.
Dedicated Education Officer, Tanya Cameron
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WFFT's on-site animal hospital offers free spay/neuter services
Two female elephants wade into their lake
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WFFT is truly a rescue center for these animals, reiterating their intentions toward education throughout each visit. There’s a fine line between conservation and tourism, but WFFT is vigilant in its position to rescue and educate, delicately avoiding the commercialization of other “elephant sanctuaries.”
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The full-day experience allows visitors to walk side-by-side with Boonmee, feed her a few bananas, and later give her a bath, but that’s it. All interaction is carefully managed by WFFT staff, including its passionate Education Officer, Tanya Cameron. In an interview with Cameron, who’s been with the organization since 2012, she expressed her fear that without drastic changes, the Asian Elephant may soon succumb to the same status as the rhino, noting that “these animals are already critically endangered.”
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So how do we protect the Asian Elephant? The first step is to not ride elephants. A shift in consumer demand for elephant trekking would vastly change the way these magnificent animals are treated. By accepting that elephants are wild animals, not meant to play basketball, paint pictures, or take people for rides, consumers have the power to end the brutal training practices currently in place. According to Cameron, “If tourists stop doing these things, there’s going to be no demand. The elephant trekking camps can turn into rescue centers themselves. Just take away this hands-on experience.”
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WFFT's lone male elephant is becoming more aggressive as he reverts back to his natural behaviors. The center is currently finishing its first bull enclosure, just for him.
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Visiting WFFT and other places with humane practices is a good start, but it’s far more important not to visit trekking camps or participate in similar forms of “animal tourism.” As with many other important causes, the power to change is squarely in our hands. “It’s just a way of thinking," Cameron says. "Until tourists stop, we’re not going to see any changes.”
Want to support WFFT?
Thailand's first elephant hospital in construction
The best way to help is to donate! As a non-profit, WFFT relies heavily on contributions for day-to-day costs (including food for animals), as well as large projects like the new elephant hospital.
If you’re looking for a more hands on experience, head to Thailand and volunteer. They accept volunteers for as little as one week, but prefer longer stays (up to a few months).
If you’re in Thailand but don’t have time to volunteer, WFFT offers a full-day experience for visitors to learn more about these incredible animals.
Finally, support WFFT on social media and help spread the word about animal mistreatment in Thailand. More awareness about these cruel practices means less demand and less demand means better treatment.
If you’re looking for a more hands on experience, head to Thailand and volunteer. They accept volunteers for as little as one week, but prefer longer stays (up to a few months).
If you’re in Thailand but don’t have time to volunteer, WFFT offers a full-day experience for visitors to learn more about these incredible animals.
Finally, support WFFT on social media and help spread the word about animal mistreatment in Thailand. More awareness about these cruel practices means less demand and less demand means better treatment.
