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Adopt a gentle giant

Asian elephants have played an important cultural and economic role for centuries, and they still roam wild in the Thai forests. Valued for their strength and dexterous trunks, elephants were once the main workforce in the teak forests of Northern Thailand, helping to transport timber. With the ban on logging in 1989, these elephants were no longer needed and consequently became a burden to their owners, who no longer had the income to support their expensive charges. Many owners resorted to taking their elephants into big cities, where they have been made to "entertain" for a living.

With Royal support, the Thai government has set up the Thai Elephant Conservation Centre (TECC) to act as a central body for the conservation and care of domestic and wild elephants and to support the communities that depend on them for their livelihood. Set up under the guardianship of the TECC, the Camp exceeds the guidelines established for the care of domestic elephants.

The adoption programme

Four Seasons Tented Camp guests have now assisted in the adoption of more than ten elephants from the streets. Through a monthly sponsorship that includes all their fodder, veterinary and incidental bills, as well as the wages and benefits for their mahouts, these elephants can now grow up or grow old in a natural environment. With donations through similar sponsorships, baby elephants separated from their mothers before their natural weaning age, elephants currently roaming city streets, and older elephants will have an opportunity to live protected and cared for by professionals. These elephants are cared for on-site and can be seen daily, either at breakfast or, on request, through a visit to the Foundation camp.

Four Seasons Tented Camp, a member of the Golden Triangle Asian Elephant Foundation (GTAEF), offers guests the opportunity to help rescue elephants from the streets of Thai cities. Donations made through GTAEF go directly to the care and welfare of these adopted elephants, with all administration and logistical support covered by Four Seasons Tented Camp.

The charity, Friends of Conservation, also provides support from the United States. For more information about the elephant rescue programmes in Northern Thailand and about Friends of Conservation, please contact the Camp directly at camphost.chr@fourseasons.com or visit the GTAEF web site at www.helpingelephants.org or the Friends of Conservation web site at www.friendsofconservation.org/GoldenTriangle.htm.

To view a collection of elephant and mahout photography visit www.elephantphotographer.com