Planned and Presented by the National Elephant Institute, Lampang. Funded jointly by Asian Elephant Support & AZA SAFE – Asian Elephant
This past summer, Dr. Khajohnpat Boonprasert, aka “Dr. Yeaw”, from Thailand’s National Elephant Institute approached AES about hosting educational workshops in southern Thailand for the mahouts at the various tourist venues in that area. As plans developed, we reached out to Rachel Emory from Oklahoma City Zoo and Adam Felts from Columbus Zoo, both members of the AZA SAFE – Asian Elephant Committee. AES was delighted when AZA SAFE decided to co-sponsor these events and Rachel also agreed to attend and present about Elephant Endotheliotropic Herpesvirus (EEHV).
Mahouts attending the lecture portion of the workshop
Rachel Emory from AZA SAFE lectures on the importance of early detection and training for treatments in EEHV cases
Two, two-day workshops were held. The first, in Krabi, hosted 39 mahouts, and the second, in Phang Nga welcomed 47 mahouts and owners. The first day consisted of papers and an interactive session. The second day was hands on, for the Krabi workshop at the Krabi Elephant Hospital, and for the Phang Nga workshop at the Southern Thai Elephant Foundation.
Mahouts participated in lectures and hands-on training throughout the workshops
AES President, Linda Reifschneider, also attended and was impressed with the attention the mahouts showed to both the presenters and during the hands-on sessions. There was note-taking and very little phone fiddling. The attendees were truly there to learn, and each was given a sturdy and attractive day bag along with a 165-page booklet covering all the rules and regulations concerning Asian elephants in Thailand.
Dr. Yeaw compiled this brief video, sharing some of the highlights from the workshops. Click here to watch.
Upon completion of the workshops, Linda visited the Elephantstay program in Ayutthaya and had the opportunity to catch up with Ewa and Michelle and see some of the destruction of the third flooding this area had experienced this year. Much has been cleared away, but these cleanups never get easier with practice.
Linda (2nd from left) with Lexie, Michelle and Ewa with elephant, "Rumruary", from Elephantstay Thailand
Linda on a ride-along with the CMU Mobile Vet Clinic
Then Linda was on to Chiang Mai for several days of hitching a ride with the Chiang Mai University Mobile Vet Clinic veterinarians. Both the vehicle donated by AES in 2019 and the continuing coverage of one veterinarian salary has made it possible for elephants, returned to their home villages during the pandemic, to continue to get not only emergency care for sickness and injury, but also preventative medicine to keep them healthy. And every visit by the veterinary team was also an educational moment for those caring for the elephants as well as receiving any needed medical supplies. These excursions also afforded Linda the opportunity to visit with some old friends and definitely make some new ones.
During the time in Chiang Mai, one day Linda headed to the Thai Elephant Conservation Center in Lampang. A great opportunity to see Dr. Yeaw once more and the work he and the staff do there. The visit also allowed for a visit with Richard Lair, AES Advisor, and the man who knows how to order a great Thai lunch for all!
Linda with AES Advisor, Richard Lair
Linda with John Roberts from the Golden Triangle Asian Elephant Foundation and Family
Linda’s last stop was in the Chiang Rai area, known for the Golden Triangle, where the Thailand, Myanmar and Vietnam borders come together. No shopping this time, but a great opportunity to catch up with John Roberts of the Golden Triangle Asian Elephant Foundation. AES has partnered with GTAEF in the past and will be participating in a program addressing Human-Elephant Conflict in some of Thailand’s protected areas with them in the future.
Every trip to Thailand is as much a learning experience, as it is reconnecting and networking. Elephants are really big animals, and the challenges – and opportunities those challenges afford – are also quite substantial and the reason we are Asian Elephant Support.
Please remember that we are a totally voluntary nonprofit - all Directors pay their own travel and other expenses related to being a director, as well as an annual financial contribution. Every donation made by our supporters goes to elephant programs and efforts! Thank you to everyone who has made educational events such as the Thailand Southern Workshop happen. If you would like to help sponsor more events like this, the continuing work of the CMU Mobile Vet Clinic or upcoming projects to support Human-Elephant Coexistence, please Donate Today!