6 months in Huay Pakoot

I have spent the last 6 months living in Huay Pakoot, a village 4 hours outside of Chiang Mai, as an intern within GVI Chiang Mai. Every day we hiked to see a selection of 8 elephants, split into 4 different hikes, and collected three types of research. We monitored their general activity and behaviour using an ethogram, their specific behaviours (whether independent, social, or stereotypic), and also monitored their health through welfare checks. Alongside the research GVI was collecting, I also had the chance to collect my own data which I will be using in my final year of study. Twice a week, we also had the opportunity to spend an hour of our afternoons teaching the local kids up at the school, and there were regular evening classes for some of the adult villagers and the mahouts to learn English. The best part of the program was the ability to take part in both conservation and community work, which is not also possible within other programs. Whilst on this program, I learned a lot about how important it is for the elephants to be in their natural habitat, not just for them, but for the mahouts. People are aware of how it affects the elephant’s health and welfare but not how having an elephant living in a camp affects the mahouts and their ability to live with their family. I would absolutely recommend this program to others, I think it is a great opportunity to gain some new life experiences and completely immerse yourself in a different culture, even if it is just for a short amount of time.