Fact Sheets & Video - Phuket

Ever been upset to see elephants in Thailand used for tourist rides, performances or local work? Well you can help them - on your next trip to Thailand.

Head to Chiang Mai and 60km outside in the remote hills visit the Elephant Nature Park. This is a peaceful sanctuary for rescued elephants which allows people like to you to get up close with these majestic creatures.

Here, you can feed and bathe the elephants in the river (and when their trunks are capable of pulling up 3 gallons of water to spray on their backs this can be some fun!), and if you like, stay for more than a day. Longer trips allow for more adventures such as heading out into the jungles to administer health care to sick elephants as well as attend cultural dinners, appreciate skills of local artisans and learn the jungle herbs and local customs.

The park has given refuge to 30 elephants since being established in the 1990's and seen 8 births. In fact, each elephant has its own name and webpage where you can learn about their personality and life stories before you go.

Thailand's elephant numbers have seriously declined and that is where Sydney's Taronga Zoo has stepped to help in the recovery process.

Five Asian Elephants travelled the long journey from work camps in Thailand, through two periods of quarantine both in Thailand and the Cocos Keeling Islands, to finally arrive at their new home at Taronga Zoo in 2006. The arrival of these elephants on Australian shores has marked the beginning of a vital conservation program to ensure the longevity of these remarkable creatures and to raise the public's awareness of the threats to the survival of this endangered species.

The five elephants were selected from Thai work camps where they were unemployed due to the cessation of rainforest logging in the 1990s. Sadly, most of the elephants were shackled and had been made to beg for food from tourists in the cities of Thailand, as the camp owners did not have enough money to feed them.

And although their plight is critical, the Asian elephants, unfortunately, ended up spending almost a total of two years in quarantine (between Thailand and the Cocos Keeling Islands) due to unexpected court proceedings initiated by animal activists, instead of the initial proposed six months, before finally arriving in Sydney last year. The elephants were transported in an Il76, a four engine jet freighter known as the Ilyushin and carried the Asian elephants on a 12-hour journey to Australia from the Cocos Keeling Islands.

In complete contrast, and as part of Wild Asia at Taronga Zoo, their new Asian elephant exhibit features a massive indoor barn with rubberised floors and heating system, hot and cold showers, a swimming pool deep enough for elephants to be fully submerged, a waterfall and wash down area. Sand/dirt mounds and mud wallows have been installed for relaxing, rolling in and playing as well as a private paddock, exercise yard, a grassy field and a shade pavilion.

Taronga Zoo visitors can now make acquaintance with the youthful, full of character herd consisting of Pak Boon, Pornthip, Tang Mo, Thong Dee and Gung, where the five Asian elephants show that it's all in a day's work, rest and frivolity at their new harbourside haven while making an indelible impression on all those who encounter them.

FURTHER INFORMATION-

Thai Airways International- fly return to Chiang Mai from $965 ex West Coast, $1012 ex East Coast. For more information visit: www.thaiairways.com.au Prices correct at 18/06/07. Prices subject to fluctuation. Conditions Apply.

Novotel Hotel Chiang Mai- Rooms from $60 per night, includes breakfast. For more information, visit: www.accorhotels.com Prices correct at 07/07/07. Prices subject to fluctuation. Conditions apply.

Elephant Nature Park- Day visit from $92 per person. Week-long visit from $395 per person. Includes accomodation, meals and transport. For more information visit: www.elephantnaturepark.org Prices correct at 07/07/07. Prices include taxes, subject to fluctuation, Conditions apply.

Taronga Zoo- Entry: $32 adults, $17.50 child. Open daily from 9am to 5pm. For more information visit: www.zoo.nsw.gov.au Prices include taxes, subject to fluctuation, conditions apply.

Sydney for Kids Card. Kids stay, play and eat free with any full paying adult at 21 participating Sydney restaurants, hotels and attractions. Valid 31/08/07. For more information visit: www.seesydney.com Prices correct at 07/07/07. Prices include taxes, subject to fluctuation. Conditions apply.

Tourism New South Wales- www.visitnsw.com.au