Hutsadin Elephant Foundation
Hutsadin Elephant Foundation
4.5
About
At Hutsadin Elephant Foundation we provide a better, safer, and more caring life for our elephant family that have been rescued from circuses, logging, mistreatment, injury and ill-health.
When you visit us, on entering the Foundation you will notice that there are no walls, fences or gates and the area is completely open and next to a busy main road. Chains are necessary at the Foundation for the safety of the elephants and visitors. Elephants are large and potentially dangerous animals and chains are an important and responsible aspect of managing elephants in a traditional way in South East Asia where there are no enclosures to safely contain the elephants.
We offer our visitors a range of activities that promote a close interaction with our elephants in a safe and enjoyable environment, for both elephants and visitors. Your support will help us to obtain secure land and bathing pools for our elephant family to enjoy.
We look forward to seeing you soon!
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Detailed Reviews: Reviews order informed by descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as cleanliness, atmosphere, general tips and location information.
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4.5
1,912 reviews
Excellent
1,141
Very good
414
Average
165
Poor
81
Terrible
111
Cathie
4 contributions
Aug 2022
When we arrived, we couldn't see elephants but were welcomed by the entrance and taken straight into the "waiting" area. We opted for the walking, washing and feeding an elephant.
All started well. Waiting area has photos and some nice information about each animal. The elephant seemed clean , had no visible wounds and a member of staff was directing it just by voice (no sticks were used). However I became concerned, when during the walk at certain locations the animal was ordered to "wrap me around" by her trunk or "kiss me" for a photo shot. When we got to the stables, I noticed that all animals are kept on very short chains. After the wash, the elephant was ordered to take a basket and make moves to beg for more money ("tips for the elephant" as staff put it). My heart broke. I also saw an elephant being ridden by a tourist (no metal chair, animal's back covered by the blanket).
Basically they treat elephants as circus animals to raise money.
All started well. Waiting area has photos and some nice information about each animal. The elephant seemed clean , had no visible wounds and a member of staff was directing it just by voice (no sticks were used). However I became concerned, when during the walk at certain locations the animal was ordered to "wrap me around" by her trunk or "kiss me" for a photo shot. When we got to the stables, I noticed that all animals are kept on very short chains. After the wash, the elephant was ordered to take a basket and make moves to beg for more money ("tips for the elephant" as staff put it). My heart broke. I also saw an elephant being ridden by a tourist (no metal chair, animal's back covered by the blanket).
Basically they treat elephants as circus animals to raise money.
Written August 14, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Thank you for your review and your kind comments about the nice information on each elephant. We are pleased you noted the elephant you spent time with was clean, had no visible wounds and was being directed just by voice commands.
We understand your comment about the elephant wrapping her trunk around you and kissing you. Whilst it was not to your liking, which I completely understand, there are many visitors who enjoy this. If you observe elephants in captivity or in the wild you will see the elephants use their trunks in a tactile manner wrapping them around another elephants neck or leg and they put the end of their trunk on other elephants faces, just like they are kissing them. So whilst it may seem like a circus trick to you it is not unusual behaviour for an elephant.
Until we can obtain a secure area for the elephants, it is necessary to chain them for both their own safety and that of our visitors. As I am sure you would have noticed during your visit the Foundation has no walls, fences or gates and is completely open next to a busy main road. Due to Covid, we reluctantly had to re-direct some of our land project and elephant bathing pool funds the Volunteers were raising to help buy food, water and medicines for our elephants.
Elephants are also very big and potentially dangerous animals and the use of chains is necessary and an important part of managing elephants in a traditional hands-on system in South East Asia where there are no enclosures to contain the elephants.
There is a lot of information available in the seating area at the Foundation that the Volunteers have created to help provide our visitors with a better understanding of Asian elephants and give an insight into the work we do here.
We take visitor feedback very seriously and as a result of recent comments we are developing “Elephants In Captivity” key fact sheets which will be prominently displayed in the seating area at the Foundation. Amongst other things this will address the necessary use of chains for elephants in captivity, in turn helping our visitors gain a better understanding.
One of the key activities the Volunteers introduced was an Education activity. This provides an in-depth insight into elephants in captivity with an emphasis on a greater understanding of Asian Elephants. It was very popular and the revenue generated through this activity enabled the volunteers to get the Foundation to agree to stop Howda (metal chair) riding in 2017, a key success and benefit for our elephants.
Whilst the Foundation currently operates bare back riding this is significantly better than Howda riding where the elephant may carry multiple people.
To put one person bareback riding into context (with a mahout) we need to look at studies undertaken on horses, dogs and donkeys which concluded they can carry up to 20-25% of their body weight.
An average sized elephant weighs about 3,000 kg so 20-25% of their body weight would equate to over 600 kg which is many times the weight of one visitor and their mahout. Bareback riding involves the mahout and visitor typically representing less than 5% of the elephant’s body weight.
In addition, the front and rear long bones of the elephants legs are particularly strong because they do not have a bone marrow cavity but instead have a dense bone structure. If you look at the position of the rider on the elephant you will note that they sit directly above the front legs of the elephant.
Kozy, Head Volunteer, Hutsadin
Written January 29, 2023
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
Sandra W
Gothenburg, Sweden47 contributions
Aug 2021 • Family
Terrible. This is not how you work with elephants. Chained. Exploited. No freedom or natural environment. That a park that claims to save elephants allows and encourages tourists to ride the elephants is under all criticism! Thankfully, there are Real Parks that work hard to put an end to elephant riding in Thailand.
Written July 4, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Thank you for your review. My heart breaks that you clearly have no understanding of Asian elephants in captivity and have completely ignored the fact the Foundation has no walls, fences or gates and is completely open next to a busy main road.
So you would rather we let the elephants wander around freely on to the main road putting themselves and road users at significant risk.
We take visitor feedback very seriously and as a result of recent comments we are developing “Elephants In Captivity” key fact sheets which will be prominently displayed in the seating area at the Foundation. Amongst other things this will address the necessary use of chains for elephants in captivity in turn helping our visitors gain a better understanding.
One of our long term objectives as Volunteers has been looking to expand the grounds to include two bathing pools for the elephants. Pre-covid we set up a land project to raise money to assist the Foundation in securing the land necessary to begin and complete the construction of two elephant bathing pools. Due to Covid, we reluctantly had to re-direct some of the land project funds to help buy food, water and medicines for our elephants.
We are by no means perfect, and never claim to be, but we have come a long way in the 18 years since I started volunteering at the Foundation. Getting Howda (metal chair) riding banned in 2017 and replaced with bare back riding was a huge achievement by the Volunteers and we continue on our quest to move to a no riding Foundation.
We recognise our shortcomings but our elephant family is well cared for and loved and they all have significantly better lives than the ones we rescued them from.
I do not understand what you would class as a “Real Park” given the circumstances that many elephant parks operate under. I can only assume you are referring to the National Parks where the 3,000 to 3,700 wild elephants live and not the 200 plus elephant parks in Thailand where the 3,500 to 4,000 captive elephants are based.
Sadly, reviews such as yours will only perpetuate the current situation and do nothing to help improve the life of our elephant family.
Kozy, Head Volunteer, Hutsadin
Written January 29, 2023
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
Stephanie H
1 contribution
Feb 2023 • Family
This was on our to-do list when visiting Thailand (From U.S.A.), and we were not disappointed with our visit!! The staff and volunteers were very knowledgeable about the elephants and they were so gentle. Lynn, our English-speaking guide was so fantastic! It was important to all of us to find a place that rescues these beautiful animals (that otherwise may not receive proper care after injury or illness), provides a safe place for them, and still teaches people about them. Our guide is from England but travels to Thailand and volunteers with this foundation twice a week while she is here for several months. These people care for injured elephants and pay for vet visits and food for them. The founder is petitioning for land and raising money to enclose property so that there isn’t a need to “chain” them for safety reasons. Currently, the land it is on cannot be enclosed because they rent it. (Many people do not own the land that they live on. I was told about people being forced to move as the new railroad is being built. Sadly, this happens in many countries…even when you own your land.)
These elephants cannot be released into the wild again. There isn’t anything to keep them from startling and running into the very busy street nearby. Lynn said they sometimes startle from the water truck that brings in water (they don’t have running water). And they also don’t like buzzing insects like bees. So this chain serves as a safety restraint for the elephant. The “trainer” or mahout and guides are very gentle with them. They were not restrained as we walked, fed, or washed Pheung Wan. While I felt safe with the mahout there, mostly he quietly spoke to the elephant or lightly tapped her side and the elephant did what he said. The foundation does outreach to schools close and all the way into Bangkok. 🤍 We LOVED our visit! So informative! And the elephants—- we just LOVED feeding and walking with them! My kids (7 and 10 years old) will never forget this! Nor will I! THANK YOU!
These elephants cannot be released into the wild again. There isn’t anything to keep them from startling and running into the very busy street nearby. Lynn said they sometimes startle from the water truck that brings in water (they don’t have running water). And they also don’t like buzzing insects like bees. So this chain serves as a safety restraint for the elephant. The “trainer” or mahout and guides are very gentle with them. They were not restrained as we walked, fed, or washed Pheung Wan. While I felt safe with the mahout there, mostly he quietly spoke to the elephant or lightly tapped her side and the elephant did what he said. The foundation does outreach to schools close and all the way into Bangkok. 🤍 We LOVED our visit! So informative! And the elephants—- we just LOVED feeding and walking with them! My kids (7 and 10 years old) will never forget this! Nor will I! THANK YOU!
Written February 23, 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Thank you for your review. It is very clear from your comments that not only did you love spending time feeding and walking with our elephants but you also understood how well our elephants are cared for and what we are trying to achieve at the Foundation. This means so much to us all. As you witnessed first hand, educating our visitors into the plight of Asian captive elephants is one of our key objectives. Your feedback and comments demonstrates we clearly achieved that objective during your visit. We are delighted your Volunteer, Lynne, was fantastic. Our Volunteers are all passionate about the care of our elephant family and ensuring our visitors have the best possible experience and leave with a greater understanding. We are so pleased your children and you will never forget your visit to the Foundation - it really does create memories that will last a lifetime.
Kozy, Head Volunteer, Hutsadin
Written February 24, 2023
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
Narendra B
Hua Hin, Thailand2 contributions
Dec 2019 • Family
Nice experience for family with kids. We did the package which included a walk with elephant, feeding bananas to elephant, bathing the elephant, and photo session with elephant. The walk with elephant was together with an english speaking guide, who was very friendly and was ready to answer any questions related to elephant. They gave enough time to kids to take photos with elephant and give them bath. The walk was 20 min, bathing the elephant was 10 min, and photos and play time was 10 min. So in total 40 min.
Written January 3, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Thank you for your great review and you chose the walking activity. Our volunteers enjoy giving their knowledge which makes it so much fun.
Thanks for visiting
Written January 4, 2020
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
Shagor
Newcastle upon Tyne, UK7 contributions
Jul 2022 • Couples
Fantastic experience , we were welcomed right from getting out of the taxi by the staff , we were introduced to the packages and prices and opted to go for the 800 baht experience . Our Mahout ,jackie and our elephant Song Kran we amazing and so helpful it's great to see these beautiful animals upclose and personal as well as have the opportunity to walk with them and shower them . This Foundation does a tremendous amount of work and every part of it good too ,I could not recommend it enough
Written July 19, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Thank you for your review. We are so pleased you had a fantastic experience and found our staff welcoming and Songkran and her mahout (elephant keeper) amazing. Seeing our elephants up close and walking with them really is a special and memorable experience. Thank you so much for your recommendation and recognising the tremendous amount of good work we do to give our elephant family the best lives possible. Kozy, Head Volunteer, Hutsadin
Written January 31, 2023
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
Harveybbad
Derbyshire139 contributions
Jul 2023 • Family
A great opportunity to spend an hour in the company of a 78 year old bull elephant called Boob Mee. Walked slowly through the encampment whilst feeding and patting him. Such a gentle fella, you could get lost looking into his eyes. After the walk we showered him down and more photos finishing with a Q&A and ice creams. The fee for a Family if for was 3200THB which goes towards the maintenance of the foundation and food for the elephants. Good value for a good cause. Come in the morning before it gets too hot!Definitely recommended.
Written July 7, 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Thank you for your review. We are delighted you had a great experience and found our Foundation worthwhile. Boon Mee truly is a gentle giant and as you say looking into his eyes is mesmerising. It is good to know that you thought the fee you paid was good value. Your activity fee not only pays for food for our elephants it also helps to pay for water for our elephants too (there is no water source at Hutsadin) and each elephant can drink up to 200 litres of water per day. We also have to give our older elephants medicines and supplements on a daily basis so your activity fee helps towards the cost of that too. Thank you for recommending Hutsadin.
Kozy, Head Volunteer, Hutsadin
Written July 9, 2023
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
Simon P
Crowthorne, UK11 contributions
Jan 2023 • Family
Fantastic visit to meet the rescue Elephants and it was an amazing experience. Be aware they only take cash. We paid 600 Thai Bart which included feeding and washing a magnificent female Elephant called Sweet Honey. For a little more you can also walk with them but we did not have enough cash. It was a great experience and I would thoroughly recommend. Took 5 minutes by taxi from Intercontinental Hotel….also recommended
Written January 2, 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Thank you for your review. We are so pleased you had an an amazing experience. Spending time with our elephants is a special and memorable experience and I am sure Pueng Wan (sweet honey) enjoyed you feeding and washing her. Unfortunately, the Foundation currently only takes cash but thank you for mentioning. We hope you will visit us again and walk with an elephant.
Kozy, Head Volunteer, Hutsadin
Written January 29, 2023
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
Gill H
33 contributions
Jan 2020 • Couples
This was our 3rd visit to this wonderful sanctuary but our first Mahout experience. We were made to feel so welcome by everyone and had a great time helping prepare food and walking with Pheung Wan. We just live it here. Special thanks to Jan and Nigel and all the great volunteers. We shall be back. Keep up the great work xxx much love Gill and Rick
Written January 3, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Third time back that says it all, and we are so pleased that you decided to see us again. The volunteers will be pleased that you enjoyed their time and our families.WE will look forward to seeing you again Gill and Rick, Trunks of love Hutsadin Team.
Written January 4, 2020
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
Nadya B
Bangkok, Thailand12 contributions
Dec 2019 • Family
We had nice time with my two boys 7&11, however, it was rather brief experience, about 30-35 min. Most likely designed for tourists with short term attention spam. I guess walking elephants around etc is still good for them, and our guide/ volunteer was super nice to us, but to be honest the whole thing did seem very touristic, as other things in hua hin. Have not been to other sanctuaries so cannot compare. I do hope this somehow contributes to elephants wellbeing.
Written January 8, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Thankyou for your review, much appreciated, we are not perfect but try our best to make sure our family are well cared for. Sadly we cannot let roam free as we do not have our own land. The land we use is not secure, so their for we must keep on the chain.
Fingers crossed we hope our dream will come true.
Written March 4, 2022
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
SaraPerillo
Gavalohori, Greece36 contributions
Feb 2020 • Couples
This was our second visit. We returned with friends so they could enjoy the relaxed interaction with these beautiful animals. Rescued and revitalized, these elephants are fortunate to have the mahouts as well as the many volunteers who lovingly tend to their needs.
Written February 1, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Wow second visit, thankyou so much. You are now the expert on our team, maybe you could volunteer soon.
Take care
Written March 4, 2022
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
Dobrý den ráda bych navštívila vaši rezervaci, je potřeba si zamluvit projížďku na slonech. Děkuji.
Do you ride on the elephants, like in the picture you do?! If you do, I dont want to visit.
Happycookies
Kl130 contributions
Hi, does this place need to book in advance? I tried booking WFFT as recommended by the hotel but it’s full already in advance. Anyone has comparisons of both this places? Is this ok to go compared to Wfft?
Joanna
Hua Hin, Thailand5 contributions
I am the representative of Hutsadin and so I might be perceived as being biased. Personally I have been to WFFT many times because there is a variety of animals there and the elephants can be seen in a natural environment but there is very little interaction with the elephants. At Hutsadin we promote Hands on experiences and our Mahout Experience is on a par with WFFT in fact you get to walk alongside one of our elephants for about 1/2 hour and also shower one plus prepare foods and take part in our Education talk. Email for more details
Hi there. I will be travelling on holiday with a 5 and a 2 year old to Hua Hin. Is there anything suited for younger children at the Foundation?...
Joanna
Hua Hin, Thailand5 contributions
There are a couple of activities that I would recommend for children of that age.
Firstly our walk with an elephant experience where you get to take one of our gentle elephants for a walk in the fields, feeding her fruit along the way and then give it a shower on return. Or, you could come in and show our youngest elephant and take some amazing photos. :)
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Hutsadin Elephant Foundation Information
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