This article is written by Lorraine Miller
A low rumble echoes through the air as a large female Asian elephant walks across the dirt track in front of me, her mahout following close behind. They meander slowly up the path to the veterinary centre, stopping on the way for the gentle giant to browse on a nearby tree.
The Southern Thailand Elephant Foundation is a first of its kind in Southern Thailand, offering free veterinary care to the elephants in the region to improve their welfare and protect their future.
This animal health charity, established in 2017, operates a state-of-the-art elephant hospital, nestled in the lush natural mixed-forest countryside of Phang Nga Province. Staffed by local Thai veterinarians, the hospital, which received its first patient in July 2022 has eliminated the arduous four-hour truck journey that once separated ailing elephants from urgent medical care.
The site also benefits from a veterinary laboratory, an isolation unit and two mobile clinics, which enable the charities expert elephant vets to reach remote and urgent cases.
I watch at a distance as Dr Aon shows the elephant and her mahout to a free stall. She prepares her equipment and begins to evaluate her new patient.
“Sometimes the conditions we see are very obvious, but some illnesses can also be very difficult to diagnose.” Dr Aon says as she reaches for a small torch from the veterinary tray beside her.
She explains that this female elephant has a corneal ulcer, which will require treatment for several days. She calls the three volunteers over from behind her and shows them the ulcer, asking them what treatment they would prescribe.
The Southern Thailand Elephant Foundation not only treats sick and injured elephants but educates the next generation of elephant veterinarians. The charity offers both international volunteer opportunities for vets and vet students to gain valuable experience and collaborates with Thai universities to provide internships for local vets to learn about elephant health, care and welfare.
Veterinary volunteers and interns spend time shadowing the charities expert elephant vets at the hospital, attend emergency call outs in the mobile clinic and perform basic tests in the onsite laboratory to determine diagnoses. They may also be called upon to take samples, read vital signs or observe elephants who need constant monitoring.
“It truly has been a once in a lifetime experience that is hard to put into words, but my life and my medicine has been changed for the better after being around the amazing people at STEF” says Megan Pounder, a veterinarian from Canada, who volunteered at the hospital in March this year.
The foundations dedication to elephant welfare is not limited to immediate care but is a holistic commitment to protecting these remarkable beings and maximising their welfare. The charity partners with academic institutions, elephant health organisations and experts in the field to offer training and support to those caring for Asian elephants in the region, to safeguard the wellbeing of these incredible animals. Recently STEF hosted a foot care course run by elephant expert and STEF advisor Lee Sambrook, who trained elephant carers in elements of foot care such as nail trimming and emphasized the importance of routine maintenance and preventative care. He also discussed the benefits of positive reinforcement training and husbandry alterations that can also encourage positive foot health such as regular movement and enclosure additions such as sand piles.
“The foot care workshop at the veterinary hospital was a fantastic success that saw elephant carers from all over Southern Thailand come together to learn new skills to benefit the welfare of the animals in their care.” Stated STEF UK Chair Dr Merry Smith.
The specialist elephant hospital also has plans for an intensive care unit to treat very young animals that may need their help. The veterinary centre often treats elephant calves that are suffering from Elephant Endotrophic Herpes Virus (EEHV), a deadly disease that affects young animals with a very low survival rate.
“If we can get to the calves quickly enough and treat them appropriately as soon as possible, they stand a much better chance of survival” says Dr Smith. “Having a dedicated intensive care unit for these cases would be a huge benefit for these young patients.”
The Southern Thailand elephant Foundation has also hosted local school groups to teach children of all ages not only about elephant health, care and welfare but about the history of the Asian elephant within Thai culture and the importance of caring and protecting them whether they are in the wild or in human care.
As I walk around the site it is clear how much dedication and commitment it takes to run the hospital, which is funded entirely on donations. Members of the team are treating elephants, teaching students, tending to the grounds and collecting browse for their larger-than-life patients. Members of staff will even work into the night to provide the very best of care for their elephant charges.
Founder of the Southern Thailand Elephant Foundation, Jakrapob Thaotad insists the charity was created not only to ensure optimal health and welfare for elephants in the region but to support education on the Asian elephant, to improve healthcare and highlight the importance of these incredible animals to Thai people. “Asian elephants are an emblem of Thailand’s cultural heritage, symbolizing longevity, loyalty, and strength. Our efforts are fuelled by a responsibility to ensure their survival and well-being.”
About The Author
Lorraine Miller is a zoologist and author from the UK. She is the director of Great Ape Consultancy and alongside her work promoting positive animal welfare, she works with the B-Corp travel company ‘Flooglebinder’ to facilitate conservation and sustainability focused travel. She also works with several animal charities including the Southern Thailand Elephant Foundation and Wild Welfare as well as publishing books and articles focused on conservation education. She also has a huge passion for marine life and is a PADI rescue diver and licensed marine mammal medic.
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