Month: October 2023

Update from our Elephant conservation volunteer holiday Thailand

As we approached the mid point of our expedition on Friday, the team has the new technology sussed. This expedition has several returning expeditioners, familiar with using data sheets and clipboards, including Neal who came out to Thailand in 2018 and is currently on his 14th expedition (he’s aiming for 20). After initial apprehensions in moving from tried and tested methods to the app, they all seem happy confident with it, particularly as there are now no longer queues for the laptops to input data, giving everyone some extra time to unwind after a hard day’s work.

On Friday and Saturday we were on afternoon survey slots, which means being out in the forest during the hottest part of the day. As we are a large group, some of the team have been using these days to do surveying and other tasks closer to base, including biodiversity surveys.

The elephants have taken our team in all directions: Boon Rott, Gen Thong, Mae Doom and Too Meh spent one day milling around in a sloping open field, foraging in the one spot of shade, leaving our citizen scientists basking in the sun. Gary and Sandra were some steep slopes to be with Dodo, Sri Prai and their calf Junior foraging in another part of the forest, before they lost sight of Sri Prai and Junior after lunch, not to be seen for the rest of the day. On another day, Susanne spent an adventurous day being led on slippery slopes into the bush following Dodo, who has a habit of going in the opposite direction of the rest of the herd.

Also, we had a nice cup of tea and some doughnuts to celebrate Paula’s birthday.

Continue reading “Thailand: Middle”

Update from our Elephant conservation volunteer holiday Thailand

Today, Monday, saw the arrival of our Thailand elephant expedition 2023 team of citizen scientists make it to our base camp and into their homestay in the Karen village Ban Naklang. We have with us Gary, Sandra, Patricia, Paula, Carlo, Sue, Phyllis, Neil, Susanne and Elenor, as well as KSES team Kerri, Aislinne and Jasmin, along with myself, Anthony.

Everyone turned up just in time for lunch after their journey from Chiang Mai this morning, stepping out of the 4x4s looking resplendent in immaculate jungle wear and spotless boots. It’s rainy here, so we’ll soon take care of that…

After lunch we had a KSES presentation from Kerri, followed by introductions and the risk assessment from me (no backing out now). We also learnt about the new digital system for data collecting, designed to reduce error and publish our research more efficiently.

Tomorrow we’ll have a full day of field training, but even more excitingly we’ll get to meet the elephant herd.

Continue reading “Thailand: Start”

Update from our Elephant conservation volunteer holiday Thailand

After a lengthy journey from Barcelona via Chiang Mai I arrived. As we drove to Naklang the temperature eased off, which was a relief from the heat of the city. I was excited to see the new baby elephant in the jungle, and equally as excited to meet Kerry and Sombat’s baby boy Ollie, who was a mere bump in her belly last year when I was last out here. 

For the next couple of days, we will be concentrating on getting everything set up for the team’s arrival. Jazmin will be meeting you at the Mecure hotel at 08:00 on Monday. 

If you are planning to buy a local SIM card while you are in country, the one that currently works in this area is ‘TrueMove’. And there are packages available that last for 15 days that cost THB 699. 

At the moment we are right in the middle of some very unseasonal rain, so please make sure that you have suitable clothing for very wet weather. 

We are looking forward to seeing you on Monday. 

Continue reading “Thailand: Rain”

Update from our Elephant conservation volunteer holiday Thailand

Hello everyone, Anthony here. I am going to be your leader for the upcoming Thailand elephant expedition 2023, working alongside Kerri and the team at KSES.

I’m currently assembling my kit in the middle of the living room in an uncharacteristically rainy Barcelona, excited to head back out to Mae Chaem and be reunited with the herd along with its newest arrival, Junior, born in June 2023.

A few points for you, team, prior to your arrival:

> Please make sure you change any large denomination notes into smaller ones in Chiang May as you may wish to buy some of the local crafts or have a cold drink in the evening.

> It’s been uncharacteristically rainy at the research site too, so make sure you bring waterproof clothing as well as gear to keep your smartphone and other electronics dry.

> Please download Kobo Collect onto your Android phone. If you are using an iPhone, you can use this workaround or you can use a project phone.

I hope your final preparations are going well and I’m looking forward to meeting you all in a few days time. I will update you with my telephone number, the weather and latest news once I arrive in Thailand.

Anthony Lyons
Expedition leader

Continue reading “Thailand: Getting ready”