Wildeelephant
Elephant Vet Frontlines: Emergency Hospital Care, Diagnostics, and Mobile Field Missions in Action
Step inside one of Thailand's leading elephant hospitals through this exclusive Wilde Tracks collaboration mission - an immersive conservation and veterinary experience offering rare access to real-world elephant healthcare.
See what it's like to join this conservation mission --> VIDEO
Designed for both short visits and extended stays, this hands-on programme combines learning, field exposure, and meaningful conservation impact through a fully equipped elephant hospital and mobile veterinary unit serving elephants across southern Thailand.
Work alongside two English-speaking veterinarians and gain insight into every stage of elephant medicine, from emergency presentations and trauma care to diagnostics, treatment planning, and recovery. Observe clinical procedures conducted by licensed Thai veterinary teams while learning how veterinary decisions are made in complex wildlife and captive care settings.
Treat captive elephants alongside their dedicated mahouts, gaining a deeper understanding of the close working relationship between elephant, handler, and veterinary team. Learn how collaborative care supports both the health and welfare of elephants living under human care while respecting Thailand's long-standing cultural traditions.
Travel beyond the hospital with the mobile clinic, responding to emergency call-outs and conducting routine welfare examinations for elephants within local communities and working environments. Support veterinary outreach initiatives that provide preventative healthcare, owner education, and welfare advice to mahouts and their families while exploring the important cultural relationship between elephants and people in Thailand.
Inside the hospital laboratory, gain exposure to advanced diagnostic processes, including PCR testing used to help detect and prevent Elephant Endotheliotropic Herpesvirus Haemorrhagic Disease (EEHV-HD) - one of the most serious diseases affecting Asian elephants today.
Each day brings new patients, clinical rounds, case discussions, laboratory diagnostics, community outreach, and opportunities to experience the pace and purpose of frontline elephant conservation medicine, creating a unique behind-the-scenes look at veterinary care that few travellers ever have the opportunity to access.
location
Thailand
Thailand is a country of extraordinary wildlife, vibrant cultures and breathtaking landscapes, from lush tropical forests and misty mountains to pristine beaches and turquoise coastlines. Home to Asian elephants, gibbons, macaques, wild cats, reptiles and an incredible diversity of birdlife, Thailand is a fascinating destination for wildlife and conservation enthusiasts. With a warm tropical climate, rich Buddhist traditions, vibrant local communities and a deep connection between people and nature, the country offers a unique blend of conservation, culture, adventure and discovery. From supporting ethical elephant conservation and wildlife rescue to exploring some of Southeast Asia's most remarkable ecosystems, there is something unforgettable around every corner.
conservation activities
This mission takes you behind the scenes of frontline elephant conservation, supporting veterinary teams working to protect the health and welfare of elephants across southern Thailand.
Elephant hospital care - Join daily clinical rounds and observe the assessment, treatment and ongoing monitoring of elephant patients.
Emergency veterinary care - Gain insight into the response to trauma, illness and other emergency cases, seeing how veterinary teams manage complex cases in real time.
Mobile veterinary missions - Travel with the mobile clinic to local communities and elephant working environments, supporting welfare examinations and preventative healthcare.
Elephant welfare assessments - Learn how veterinarians assess the physical health, welfare and living conditions of elephants under human care.
Diagnostic medicine - Explore the hospital laboratory and learn how diagnostic testing helps veterinarians identify disease and guide treatment decisions.
EEHV research and disease prevention - Gain exposure to PCR testing used to detect Elephant Endotheliotropic Herpesvirus, a serious disease affecting Asian elephants.
Community outreach - Support initiatives that provide mahouts and elephant owners with veterinary advice, preventative healthcare guidance and improved welfare practices.
Veterinary case discussions - Take part in discussions with experienced veterinarians, exploring real cases and the decisions behind diagnosis, treatment and recovery.
Recovery and ongoing care - Follow patients throughout their treatment and rehabilitation while learning about the long-term veterinary management of elephants.
Conservation through education - Develop a deeper understanding of the challenges facing elephants in Thailand and the role that veterinary medicine, responsible management and community engagement play in their conservation.
Your participation helps support a working elephant hospital and mobile veterinary programme, contributing to the ongoing care and welfare of elephants while giving you an authentic insight into conservation medicine in action.
Your Thai Home
Accommodation
During your mission, you’ll stay in comfortable accommodation on site, surrounded by the tropical landscapes of Thailand, providing a relaxing base between conservation activities. The setting offers an opportunity to experience the natural beauty of the region while remaining conveniently located for your daily activities.
Accommodation is shared with fellow mission participants, creating a welcoming and social environment where you can relax, unwind and connect with others after a day of conservation work. Rooms are comfortable and designed to provide a peaceful place to recharge between busy field days.
Meals are included throughout your stay, giving you the chance to enjoy a variety of local flavours while keeping you fuelled for your conservation activities. In your downtime, you’ll have the opportunity to relax and take in the surrounding tropical environment.
Available Missions
We Can't Wait To Welcome You
Next Mission
Available year round with a 1 week minimum stay
The mission runs Monday to Friday
For stays of 1 week or longer, weekends are free to explore the beauty of Thailand
Private group missions are available - contact us for details
Private room at a nearby hotel available as an optional upgrade, subject to availability
Who Can Join
Anyone 18 years and older who is studying or qualified in the animal care and veterinary industries
Ideal for students, graduates and professionals looking to gain practical experience in elephant welfare, veterinary care and conservation
Inclusions + exclusions
What's included
Accommodation
Shared accommodation on site, surrounded by nature
Full Board
All meals, filtered water and non alcoholic drinks
Transfers
Including airport pick-up on Monday morning and drop-off on Friday from Phuket Aiport (HKT)
Conservation Work
Hands-on elephant veterinary conservation supporting hospital care, diagnostics, and disease prevention while working alongside veterinarians to improve welfare and clinical outcomes.
All Activities
Immersive daily activities include elephant hospital rounds, emergency case observation, diagnostics in the lab, mobile clinic field visits, and veterinary case discussions.
Guides
Qualified English-speaking professionals
What's not included
Flights
International flight to Phuket Airport
Health/Travel Insurance
Mandatory
Tour Visa
If applicable
Alcohol & Souvenirs
Conservation Contribution
Ready to Join Us?
If “Book Now” is available:
Click the Book Now button to secure your place on the mission. Select the departure date and the applicable package.
A deposit is required to confirm your spot - spaces are limited and cannot be held without payment
The remaining balance is split into three instalments, with final payment due 90 days prior to departure
If booking within 90 days of departure, full payment is required at the time of booking
Once your deposit (or full payment) is received, you’ll be sent a detailed information pack covering everything you need to know - including program details, travel guidance, what to expect, and a packing list
If “Book Now” is not available:
This mission may have specific requirements, offers multiple departure dates, or has alternative mission lengths available
Click Ask A Question and complete your details to register your interest
A Wilde Tracks team member will contact you via email
If you don’t hear from us within 3 business days, please email info@wildetracks.com
No payment is required to register your interest
Our team will help guide you through the best options available for you
Some of our trips require a minimum number of participants to run. In the unlikely event the minimum isn’t met, we’ll let you know no later than 60 days before departure. If you haven’t heard from us by then, your trip is good to go. To keep things flexible, we recommend booking your flight after this point or choosing a flexible ticket.
Find Out More
Want to learn more before booking your Wilde Tracks mission?
📧 Email us: info@wildetracks.com
📸 See the experience in action: Follow @wildetracks on Instagram for footage from past missions, conservation work and behind-the-scenes moments.
💬 Have a question? Send us an email or DM on Instagram, or use the “Ask a Question” button at the top of this page - our team is happy to help.
Real Experiences. Real Travellers. Real Reviews.
Don’t just take our word for it - hear directly from the travellers who have joined Wilde Tracks missions around the world.
From hands-on conservation work and unforgettable wildlife encounters to meaningful connections with local communities, our guests share what it’s really like to travel with purpose.
⭐ 5.0/5 on Tripadvisor
⭐ 34 five-star reviews
⭐ Travellers’ Choice recognised
Read their stories, see what they experienced and discover why so many of our guests are already planning their next Wilde Tracks adventure.
Photo gallery
About your organizer
Wilde Tracks is a conservation organisation with a different approach to funding wildlife protection: our conservation work is funded through travel.
We work alongside wildlife veterinarians, conservation organisations, reserves, researchers and local communities around the world, helping fund vital work including veterinary interventions, wildlife monitoring and tracking, anti-poaching initiatives, research, habitat protection and community-led conservation.
Rather than relying on donations or traditional fundraising, the people who travel with Wilde Tracks help make this work possible. The money generated through our trips directly contributes to the conservation projects our guests may be part of, while also supporting important work continuing behind the scenes.