Southern Thailand Elephant Foundation

The Southern Thailand Elephant Foundation (STEF) is a charity based in Southern Thailand administering free veterinary care to elephants in need. STEF is the only organisation of its kind to deliver this.

Based in Ban Ton Sae, STEF operates from a veterinary centre with state-of-the-art equipment used to treat elephants with all manner of conditions, from eye injuries to parasitic infections. Crucially, the STEF team are able to rapidly screen wild elephants for the deadly Elephant Herpes Virus (EHV), an infection that younger elephants are particularly susceptible to and is often fatal.

STEF's mobile veterinary clinic is a lifeline for sick elephants across Thailand, meaning the team can also visit elephants who are too sick to travel to the centre. As an advocate for progressively high welfare and the ethical treatment of elephants, STEF is leading the way in veterinary care of this magnificent species.

Alongside their daily operations, STEF also collaborates on research with scientists across Asia to advance knowledge in elephant care globally. The STEF base also has an education centre, which is a dedicated learning space for local schools, Thai children and even visiting tourists. The centre is used to promote a positive outlook on elephants, conveying their importance in history and culture and crucially, their conservation. STEF also delivers workshops to train future conservationists and elephant care givers to provide the best possible care to their elephants.

At Blackpool Zoo, we are proud to support the Southern Thailand Elephant Foundation through various initiatives designed to fund conservation efforts and promote awareness. By collaborating on impactful campaigns and research projects, we aim to drive meaningful progress in elephant conservation.

Each year we will provide essential donations to support the foundation's on-the-ground operations. Furthermore, we are committed to providing educational support to broaden awareness and inspire the wider community. This includes sharing knowledge through engaging talks, conservation events, interactive Q&A sessions and informative signage at the zoo, as well as utilising our online platforms to highlight the foundation's vital work.