Alongkot  Chukaew, PhD

Alongkot Chukaew, PhD

Director, Thai Elephant Research And Conservation Fund (TERF)

Industry : Advocacy

Elephant researcher turned educator, Dr Alongkot''s goal is to create awareness in society that everyone can participate in protecting elephants and allowing them to live with nature as they deserve. His aim is to create a "human fence" to protect elephants in the wild. Having conducted research on Thai elephants for years, he decided to use his knowledge for awareness and advocacy on animal welfare and environmental concerns, conducting workshops and camps for school children at his forest base in Khao Yai, as well as in remote villages upcountry. And as a musician, he reaches out to the marginalised, the blind and autistic, using both elephants or music as a tool to connect and educate. He also launched the country’s first mobile elephant ambulance unit to give sick elephants immediate access to medical treatment. His interest in the environment extends to marine conservation, and as a dive instructor, he holds regular educational workshops and dives for youngsters through his Wildlife Guardians Programme under the Environmental and Social Foundation (ESF).

Alongkot  Chukaew, PhD

Friday Future Lister: Trunk Tales—Dr. Alongkot’s Extraordinary Elephant Ambulance and Conservation Fund

His efforts not only highlight his dedication to safeguarding the welfare of elephants but also reflects his innovative thinking and deep empathy with wildlife.

It’s Friday again which means Friday Future Lister is calling. Today, we’re taking a moment to appreciate the work of Dr. Alongot Chukaew, elephant researcher turned educator, advocate, and founder of the Thai Elephant Research and Conservation.

Dr. Alongkot’s mission revolves around raising awareness within society about the importance of active participation in safeguarding elephants. His objective is to establish what he calls a “human fence,” a concept aimed at protecting wild elephants. Leveraging his years of dedicated research on Thai elephants, he has chosen to channel his expertise towards fostering consciousness and advocating for animal welfare and environmental issues.

Photo: Courtesy of Alongkot Chukaew/FB

To achieve this goal, Dr. Alongkot organises workshops and camps targeting school children, both at his forest sanctuary in Khao Yai and in remote rural communities. These efforts serve to educate the younger generation to these important matters. 

Photo: Courtesy of Alongkot Chukaew/FB – Environmental and Social Foundation

A talented musician, he extends his reach to marginalised groups, including the visually impaired and those on the autism spectrum. Here, he also employs both elephants and music as powerful instruments to connect and educate.

Photo: Courtesy of Alongkot Chukaew/FB – Environmental and Social Foundation

Photo: Courtesy of Alongkot Chukaew/FB – Environmental and Social Foundation

The Mobile Elephant Ambulance

Dr. Alongkot had been working with elephants for over ten years before establishing the Thai Elephant Research and Conservation Fund. Eventually, he realised that the key was to provide accurate knowledge and understanding about these magnificent creatures. It was with this in mind that he made the decision to create the Thai Elephant Research and Conservation Fund, aiming to establish techniques for addressing elephant-related issues, fostering learning, and leading to the engagement of society in this process.

Photo: Courtesy of Alongkot Chukaew/FB

Ultimately, Dr. Alongkot introduced the nation’s first mobile ambulance unit for elephants, an initiative designed to promptly provide medical aid. In the past, the challenge with elephant care often had to do with transportation. Many times, they were unable to survive due to illnesses and accidents, mainly because they couldn’t be transported to the veterinarian in time. One of the reasons was that owners often lacked the funds to hire vehicles.

Before the ambulance came to fruition, transport usually involved regular trucks that could be hired for the task. However, it was quite challenging moving sick or injured elephants as accidents were involved, such as the overturning of trucks due to  inadequate design for transporting large animals. 

Dr. Alongkot has created a platform that not only provides care and sanctuary but also serves as an educational hub for both the younger generation and those with special needs. Through his tireless work, Dr. Alongkot has shown that passion, expertise, and compassion can drive meaningful change. Most of all, Dr. Alongkot has undoubtedly left a lasting mark on the world of elephant conservation.

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