4 Ethical and Responsible Wildlife Experiences in Thailand

There’s far more to Thailand than picture-perfect beaches, ancient temples and outrageous parties. The destination is home to a diverse range of ecosystems and an impressive display of wildlife that attract people from around the globe.

Sadly, many of the country’s native creatures (big and small!) have been exploited and mistreated in the name of tourism. Mammals, reptiles and birds have long been used for entertainment, negatively impacting the animals’ wellbeing and putting species at risk. Today, however, more and more travellers are intent on finding ethical and sustainable ways to view and interact with animals, ensuring populations and environments are being properly protected and cared for.

That’s where these four wildlife experiences come in. From visiting sanctuaries for sick and injured elephants to helping out at sea turtle conservation sites, here are four ways for you to responsibly get up close and personal with the diverse species of Thailand. 

• Visit sanctuaries for rescued elephants 
• Explore coral reefs in protected areas 
• Volunteer to save baby sea turtles 
• Witness the rehabilitation of gibbons

Travellers often go to Thailand with the goal of riding or otherwise interacting with elephants. We understand the appeal — elephants are majestic and intelligent creatures — but you do need to exercise caution when selecting which sanctuaries to visit, as many tours and experiences involve cruel, back-breaking work for the animals. 

Fortunately, with the rise of ethical, responsible and sustainable tourism in recent years, there are now a variety of sanctuaries that do protect and care for Asia’s gentle giants. Take ElephantsWorld in Kanchanaburi, for instance. This self-supporting environmental conservation organization for rescued, orphaned and disabled elephants strives to “make every moment…educational, enjoyable and rewarding” for visitors, staff and, of course, the elephants themselves. Activities include preparing fruit and sticky rice for the herd, cleaning the elephants in the river, and observing the incredible species in their natural environment.

Alternatively, you can head south to Khao Sok National Park and stay at Elephant Hills — Thailand’s first luxury tented camp. This rainforest-fringed outpost is home to free-roaming Asian elephants that, if willing, will let you bathe and feed them.

Watching sea turtles hatch is a truly magical experience that’s definitely worth being on your bucket list. Just make sure you research the tour operators you’re considering on your trip to Thailand. There are many that follow ethical and sustainable practices in an effort to protect this incredible species. 

On Koh Phra Thong, an island that has long attracted female sea turtles in search of a place to lay their eggs, you’ll find Naucrates Sea Turtle and Island Conservation. For more than 20 years, the organization has worked to protect nests from heavy-footed visitors and egg-collecting predators. The research team also monitors changes in leatherback, green and olive ridley sea turtle populations.

Luckily, Naucrates does welcome visitors and volunteers. You can opt to spend a number of weeks working with the local community to protect the environment and species, watching turtles nest or hatch (depending on the season) and participating in education programs in nearby schools.

Much like the Asian elephants mentioned earlier, gibbons have historically featured in tourist entertainment across Thailand and are increasingly threatened by habitat loss or poaching. Organizations like the Gibbon Rehabilitation Project, which rescues and rehabilitates white-handed gibbons into their natural forest habitat, aim to change that.

The project is run entirely by donations and volunteers who spend their time working on the “quarantine”, “rehabilitate” or “release stages of the program. The centre is also open daily for visitors, featuring a public viewing platform where you can watch the gibbons play amongst the trees. If you’re in in the Phuket, it’s worth stopping by. 

Now that you know what makes certain wildlife experiences more responsible, ethical and sustainable than others, you’re ready to explore Thailand. Check out our vacation packages or speak to a travel consultant to start planning your trip.