At one time, many visitors were shocked to see elephants and their owners begging on the busy streets of Bangkok. Elephants are very expensive to keep and their handlers – known as mahouts – often take them from the jungle into urban centres to beg for money from tourists. Many of these elephants are mistreated, malnourished and on the brink of death.
Thankfully, more than 30 rescued elephants have had a second chance at the Golden Triangle Asian Elephant Foundation (GTAEF). Established in 2006 in partnership with Four Seasons Tented Camp Golden Triangleand another hospitality partner, the Foundation was designed to provide a safe haven for abused and retired elephants and has now developed to support larger conservation and education projects.