JOURNEY TO FREEDOM

FOSTER PROGRAM

IN SUPPORT OF ELEPHANT OWNERS COMMITTED TO POSITIVE CHANGE

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Support the herd at Journey to Freedom

Journey to Freedom is a unique elephant sanctuary where, prior to Covid, a small group of volunteers had the chance to spend an unforgettable week with a small herd of elephants in the remote jungles of Northern Thailand. With plenty of time to observe elephants in their natural habitat and learn about Karen culture, this remote project offered visitors an amazing adventure.

After the 1989 ban on logging, the Karen saw no other choice but to lease their elephants to trekking camps where they were often mistreated and overworked giving rides and performing, leading to physical and psychological injuries. Journey to Freedom was created to make it possible for the Karen to bring the elephants home to live in the jungle near their village where they can enjoy socializing with each other, foraging on native plants, and live a more natural existence.

Since the collapse of tourism resulting from the Covid-19 pandemic there has been no volunteers to Journey to Freedom for many months now. At the beginning of the Covid crisis it was the dry season in Thailand and there were fires in the forest surrounding the project, damaging much of the elephant’s habitat. Thankfully since the rains came in June, the forest began to flourish again. The elephants now spend their days foraging in the lush jungle near the project eating a wide variety of natural vegetation, including bamboo, grass, and the leaves of various native plants and trees. Whilst in the jungle, they often come across ravines where they like to play in the mud, as well as streams where they can take a dip. The elephants are also fed bananas and sugarcane as a treat, and sometimes watermelon and pumpkin, but mainly they are given cornstalks.

With no volunteers for a long time now, it is difficult to provide for the elephants sufficiently. We are doing the best that we can to properly care for the elephants, but would greatly appreciate your support during this challenging time.

INTRODUCING THE HERD