Phang Nga Elephant Park
Our TEAM & VOLUNTEER PROGRAMME
Meet Our Team
JAKE
Lek
NESS
OUR ADVISERS
Dr. higgins
Lek
Volunteer Program
Volunteers join Phang Nga Elephant Park for three-month placements, ideal for hardworking, self-reliant people who love elephants and enjoy working with others. Applicants should learn about elephant welfare and our ethical approach. Accommodation, meals, WiFi, electricity, and showers are provided.
Volunteers join Phang Nga Elephant Park for three-month placements, ideal for hardworking, self-reliant people who love elephants and enjoy working with others. Applicants should learn about elephant welfare and our ethical approach. Accommodation, meals, WiFi, electricity, and showers are provided.
Brandon grew up on a farm where he developed a love for all creatures. He is 21 years old and from the US, where the temperature is just as hot and humid as Thailand. After hearing stories of the park from his sister, Brandon decided to volunteer with us for 3 months to experience this lifetime opportunity. This is Brandon’s first time being overseas and hopes to continue travelling in the future. When Brandon isn’t hanging with elephants, he can be found writing books as he wishes to be a nomad author one day! – Welcome to Thailand, Brandon 🙂
A very warm welcome to Natalie! She is 20 years old and comes from from West Yorkshire, in the United Kingdom. Natalie is studying Zoology at University and thought some time volunteering at Phang Nga Elephant Park would gain her hands-on experience and knowledge of the beautiful but endangered Asian elephant. Actually, although a passionate animal lover, Natalie had never seen an elephant before coming here, so this was a completely new environment. But, not surprisingly she has fallen totally in love with all the elephants at the Park. Natalie is a hard-working, happy, friendly person and has been working with animals at local animal shelters since she was 16. She also likes sports and has been swimming since she was age 8 competing in competitions which she thoroughly enjoyed and she played netball throughout her time at school. We are delighted to have you with us, Natalie!! 🙂
This is Charlotte; she is 27 from Dorset in the United Kingdom. Charlotte visited the Park back in 2017 and fell in love with Choosri. She said her day at the Park was truly amazing and soon she decided she wanted a career in conservation and decided to do a degree in environmental science. Charlotte is aiming for a career in wildlife conservation and thought volunteering at Phang Nga Elephant Park would be a fantastic opportunity to broaden her knowledge and get some hands on experience of the things she is passionate about. Charlotte has always had an interest in animals as she grew up on a farm with horses, farm animals, cats, dogs and many retiles and amphibians. Charlotte is really hard working, loyal and fun. At home, when she is not studying or working you’ll find her either travelling, hiking along the Jurassic coast in Dorset or spending time with her partner and cat Bertie (who is her world!).
Elaine first became interested in Phang Nga Elephant Park after hearing stories and seeing pictures from members of her family, who had visited us previously. Elaine comes from South Africa and is passionate and knowledgeable about the wild animals that roam her country, including African Elephants. She decided that spending some time in Thailand would be the perfect opportunity to learn more about the endangered Asian elephant. Having taught in South Korea for a couple of years, she thought our Volunteer Programme was the ideal way to do fulfil her ambition. She has settled very well and hopes to use her time here to supplement her knowledge and help her reach her goal of becoming a conservationist in Africa. Welcome Elaine, we are very happy to have you here!
Anna first came to our park as a guest back in 2018 and fell in love with her elephant Duong Jai. No stranger to animals, Anna worked on her family farm growing up and cared for many animals which included horses, pigs, cows, sheep, chickens and rabbits. When Anna is not caring for animals, she is learning new skills that will help her later in life such as EMT, Firefighting and Scuba diving. Anna is from Georgia and has a fun can-do attitude when it comes to working with animals and loves the dirty jobs that sometimes can be a part of caring for elephants. At 22 years old, Anna packed up her bags and left her hometown to travel the world for as long as she can, starting with volunteering with us at PNEP for 6 months! Welcome Anna, we are happy to have you.
Julia has an amazing job in her home town of Winnipeg in Canada where she is an Animal Care Specialist at Assiniboine Park Conservancy, a charitable organisation that allows visitors to reconnect with nature and each other – it is said to be Winnipeg’s premier outdoor attraction. In the seven years Julia has been working there she has had responsibility for the physical and mental health of over 19 species and has a special interest in positive reinforcement training and the creation of environmental enrichment programmes, in which she has developed remarkable skills. In 2014, Julia came to Thailand and worked with elephants and local people to educate and to bring awareness of elephant exploitation and to demonstrate the vital necessity for ethical elephant tourism. She loves engaging with visitors and inspiring everyone to care more about wildlife and conservation. She says that after her time in Thailand her heart remained in our beautiful country and with our magnificent elephants and she is so keen now to share her passion, knowledge and work ethic with us at Phang Nga Elephant Park. Julia – we are thrilled to have you with us.
This is Finn’s second time working as a Volunteer at Phang Nga Elephant Park. He was last with us in 2018 and was so popular with our visitors we were delighted when he asked if he could come back for another tour. Finn is from the US and is now 27. He has had a fascinating career (as you can read if you scroll down and read his previous entry!). He is very much a communicator and loves telling our guests all about the Asian elephant and its importance in Thai culture. He is passionate about the work of our sister charity, Southern Thailand Elephant Foundation, and never misses an opportunity to tell visitors about the new elephant veterinary centre that is there to provide free health care for hundreds of elephants in the region. Finn is also a registered Wedding Officiant and when he was last with us he presided over a number of wedding ceremonies that the Park arranged – so if you want to pop the question in the next six months come to Phang Nga Elephant Park! Finn – it is really great to have you back (despite the flute). A very warm welcome to you.
Alex first visited Phang Nga Elephant Park in 2018 and says that the moment she saw the elephants she felt instant joy and passion. She got on really with the Volunteers and found they were all very like-minded and soon they became friends and kept in touch through social media. She applied to come back as a Volunteer in 2020 – and here she is! It is great to have you back with us, Alex. Coming from Melbourne, Australia, Alex has recently been working for a home insurance company where she was managing claims and with a lot of responsibility for customer support, but she felt the time was right for a new experience in life. Alex has a real interest in wildlife and zoology and wants to redirect her life after her stay with us to move more into that rewarding world. She loves people and really enjoys learning and sharing knowledge about the magnificent Asian elephant with our guests. Her favourite elephant is Ja Na who, like Alex, has a very sweet temperament. Among her many skills, Alex enjoys baking, singing – and talking! We know she will fit in well. Welcome Alex!