Asian Elephant Vet Clinic
Thailand
This immersive project offers you a unique opportunity to be part of an Asian Elephant foundation in Thailand, focusing on education, health, and welfare. The foundation operates an on-site hospital and a mobile clinic, providing medical care to sick and injured elephants in remote locations. As a volunteer, you will gain valuable hands-on experience, working alongside a dedicated team of professionals to support the care and rehabilitation of these magnificent animals.
Project Highlights
Gain a thorough understanding of elephant healthcare and the physical examination process.
Learn about common diseases and illnesses in domesticated Thai elephants, with real-time observation at the veterinary centre.
Work alongside the resident vet and observe medical procedures and treatments for elephants.
Participate in daily discussions and treatment planning with the on-site vet to better understand the veterinary process.
Assist the veterinary team during mobile clinic runs, providing essential care to elephants in remote areas.
Visit Phang-Nga Elephant Park to see conservation and rehabilitation efforts in action.
Explore the beautiful landscapes and culture of Thailand during your days off, with the opportunity to relax and experience local attractions.
Project video
The foundation upholds ethical practices regarding elephants, ensuring that no elephants are used for human entertainment, such as rides or direct interactions. Instead, you will focus on providing veterinary care to all elephants, regardless of their living conditions, ensuring they receive the best possible treatment.
Elephants hold a significant cultural role in Thailand, and through this project, you will play a part in promoting their health, welfare, and conservation. The foundation’s veterinary hospital and mobile clinic ensure that even elephants in the most remote areas receive the essential medical treatment they need.
The volunteer program introduces you to the veterinary care of Asian elephants, addressing issues such as:
Veterinary practices specific to Asian elephants.
The welfare challenges faced by elephants in Thailand.
The cultural and historical context of elephant care in the country.
Elephant husbandry activities and safety when working with these majestic creatures.
You’ll receive guidance from the volunteer coordinator, who covers non-medical topics such as elephant safety, husbandry, and history, while the head vet leads medical training, case consultations, and assists in mobile clinic visits. The program also fosters a deep understanding of the conservation challenges facing Asian elephants, as they are an endangered species, and the issues contributing to their declining population.
By participating in this program, you will not only gain valuable veterinary experience but will also immerse yourself in Thai culture and the pressing conservation efforts for Asian elephants.
Key Volunteer Activities
At the hospital:
Assist with inpatient cases, supporting veterinary care for elephants.
Learn how to evaluate an elephant’s vital signs and conduct a physical examination.
Engage in case discussions and treatment planning with the head vet to enhance your understanding.
Participate in medicine preparation and assist in administering treatments to elephant patients.
Help maintain cleanliness and organisation in the treatment area to ensure a safe environment for both animals and staff.
Assisting with Elephant Husbandry Activities:
Participate in pre-treatment bathing, helping prepare elephants for medical procedures.
Assist in preparing the elephants’ meals to ensure proper nutrition and care.
During Mobile Clinic Visits:
You will travel to various locations across Southern Thailand to visit elephants in need, depending on external requests. Locations may include:
Logging camps/sites where elephants work.
Riding camps where elephants are used for tourist activities.
Educational camps or sanctuaries focused on elephant welfare.
Individual households with domesticated elephants.
As you visit these locations, you will interact with local communities and learn about Thai rearing practices, further deepening your cultural understanding of elephants in Thailand.
These activities will allow you to gain hands-on experience in elephant care, from medical treatment to everyday husbandry tasks, while also learning about the challenges elephants face in various environments across Thailand.
Project Photos
Accomodation
You will stay on-site at the veterinary hospital in shared bedrooms, each furnished with bunk beds. Rooms typically accommodate two volunteers, though this may vary depending on the number of participants at any given time. To ensure your comfort, the bedrooms are equipped with mosquito screens, fans, and air-conditioning. While the accommodation is simple, it provides a welcoming and functional space for volunteers to rest after a rewarding day of hands-on experience.
The shared bathroom facilities, including a cold shower, are conveniently located within the same building as the bedrooms. Meals are freshly prepared by the on-site cook, offering a variety of traditional Thai dishes, except on Sundays when volunteers will need to arrange their own meals. A shared fridge is also available for storing snacks and essentials. This setup allows volunteers to immerse themselves in the experience while enjoying a comfortable and sociable living environment.
Location
The Veterinary Centre is located just 10 minutes from Khok Kloi town and around a 40-minute drive from Phuket International Airport.
Khok Kloi is a charming town in Phang Nga province, offering a blend of natural beauty and local culture. Highlights include:
Natai Beach: A serene beach with pristine sands and tranquil waters, ideal for relaxation and sunset views.
Phang Nga Bay: Known for its stunning limestone cliffs and crystal-clear waters, including the iconic James Bond Island.
Local markets offering delicious street food and fresh seafood.
Temples that showcase the spiritual side of Thai life, with peaceful gardens and beautiful architecture.
The town is known for its friendly locals and authentic experiences, making it a great base for exploring the surrounding area and immersing yourself in Thai culture.
Project Fee
In order to provide you with a fun, safe and rewarding stay, we have a project fee to cover your accommodation, food, and all transfers when staying with us. This cost also allows you to be covered by our public liability and professional indemnity insurance. We do not charge for your training or spending time with our vets. So you can focus on having an amazing time and we will take care of the rest.
2025 Project Fee:
1 week: £648
2 weeks: £1,296
3 weeks: £1,944
4 weeks: £2,592
2026 Project Fee:
1 week: £713
2 weeks: £1,426
3 weeks: £2,139
4 weeks: £2,852
What’s Included:
Great news, it is pretty much everything!
Pre-departure assistance with trip planning from one of our destination specialists
24-hour support from on-site staff during the project
3 delicious meals per day
Shared on-site accommodation at the hospital
Public liability and professional indemnity insurance
What's Not Included:
Airport collection and returns (B800 each way, 40 minutes in a private taxi that we will arrange for you).
Visas
Personal medical insurance
Flights
Project Specifics
Age: 18-65 years old
Qualifications: Open to qualified vets, nurses, technicians, and veterinary students (4th year or higher). Vet tech/nurse students are also welcome!
Fitness Requirements
Due to the isolated nature of our locations, and the demanding nature of our work, a certain level of fitness is required to join this project. While we try to make our work as comfortable as possible, there are times when physical tasks are necessary to ensure safety and efficiency.
As such, you should be able to:
Climb up and down from a high pickup truck
Comfortably run 50 metres
Walk 3 kilometres over rocky and uneven ground
Not suffer from severe or unmanaged depression or anxiety
If mental or physical challenges prove problematic to safety, attendees will be required to sit out of activities, and in severe circumstances, we reserve the right to terminate a stay based on incorrectly or undisclosed disabilities. If you have a history of physical injuries, disabilities, or mental health conditions and would like to discuss your fitness to attend, we encourage you to apply and highlight this in your application form. We’re more than happy to have a conversation with you, and always do our best to be inclusive and accommodating.
Start Dates
This program runs all year round. Sessions begin on Monday and end on Friday, with a minimum duration of 1 week and a maximum duration of 4 weeks.
What Next?
We want you to join us in Thailand, to help the elephants and have the adventure of a lifetime. Sound good? If you think you can assist this project, please click the Apply Now button and we will be in touch with you shortly.
Project Fees
Volunteering is a rewarding experience that makes a real impact on animal welfare and provides a chance to learn and travel to beautiful places....
booking conditions
Worldwide Vets aims to provide you with an easy booking experience and the a trip of a lifetime. As such, we have terms and conditions we ask you to abide by when booking a project with us...
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