GVI begins work with rescued street-begging elephants in Thailand

April 21, 2010 - PRLog -- Saved from begging on city streets, the endangered Thai elephants are being reintroduced into their natural habitat by GVI and their partners. The project has three main aims: providing direct care to rescued elephants; establishing the new 2000 acre reserve and developing the long term capacity for mahouts (elephant keepers) to support themselves and their elephants.

While volunteers get involved in planting, harvesting, and preparing elephant food, these gentle giants are left to roam nearby, unchained and free to forage. Working days start early but they are complimented by long breaks during the mid-day heat with time to relax and catch the sun, or teach and learn with the mahouts who’s home volunteers will share during the program.

This opportunity to take care of rescued elephants is accompanied by plenty of free time to enjoy more of Thailand. Surin Province is located in Isaan, North-eastern Thailand where there is efficient transport, cheap accommodation and variety to suit all tastes and budgets. Far away from the usual tourist routes there is a wealth of culture to experience, food to consume, and beaches to entice. Ancient temples left behind from the Angkor civilization are nearby, and it’s a short 3-hour drive after crossing into Cambodia to reach the spectacular Angkor Wat temple complex.

By seeing the profound difference this program is making on the lives of each elephant and the people involved firsthand, the question is likely to be how long volunteers will wish to extend their stay on the project...

For more information on all of Global Vision International’s (GVI) projects, please visit http://www.gvi.co.uk or http://www.gviusa.com.


About Global Vision International (GVI)

Global Vision International (GVI) is an internationally based volunteer abroad organization which offers volunteer programs in Africa, South America, Asia, Europe and Latin America. Formed in 1998, Global Vision International provides support and services to international charities, non-profits and governmental agencies through volunteering opportunities and direct funding, filling a critical void in the fields of environmental research, conservation, education and community development. Various types of overseas volunteer work are offered including volunteer holidays, gap year volunteering, short term volunteering, long term volunteering, volunteer internships, intern abroad programs, student volunteer abroad programs and employee volunteering trips abroad.

# # #

GVI's mission is to offer qualifying projects the necessary financial and volunteer assistance required to achieve their goals in conservation and community development. GVI sends over 2,000 volunteers away every year to aid-reliant projects worldwide.