Phuket Elephant Nature Reserve (PENR) is proud to announce an official partnership with World Animal Protection, marking a significant milestone not only for our sanctuary but for the future of elephant tourism in Phuket!
As a leading ethical elephant sanctuary in Phuket, our partnership and accreditation by World Animal Protection affirms our hard work over the years and reflects our continued commitment to transforming the lives of elephants in Phuket.
Find out more below about World Animal Protection, the significance of our partnership, and what makes our Phuket Elephant Tours and Activities the future of wildlife tourism in Thailand. If you have any questions about our sanctuary as you read, don’t hesitate to contact us.
What is World Animal Protection?
World Animal Protection is a globally recognised organisation that works to improve the lives of animals worldwide. Active in more than 50 countries and having operated for over 70 years, they focus on ending animal cruelty, influencing policy, supporting ethical tourism, and helping animals live lives free from suffering.
In the tourism sector, World Animal Protection advocates against harmful practices such as elephant riding, forced performances, and close-contact interactions. Through initiatives like the Elephant Venue Transition Project, they have supported venues in Thailand and Asia to move away from exploitative models and towards observation-only, high-welfare animal experiences. You can find out more about how tourism and conservation are interlinked with our article about Ethical Elephant Tourism in Thailand.
What Makes Phuket Elephant Nature Reserve an Ethical Sanctuary?
At Phuket Elephant Nature Reserve, we are committed to providing a safe, peaceful, and natural environment for the elephants who call our sanctuary home. Since our founding, we have rescued six elephants from abusive and exploitative conditions, providing them with a new lease on life.
Through our Phuket Elephant Tours, we encourage visitors to meet and appreciate our elephants through safe, hands-off activities. This helps to divert visitors away from harmful activities like elephant riding or bathing, while supporting animal welfare and local conservation efforts. You can learn more about the Role of Sanctuaries in Elephant Conservation Efforts in Thailand with our blog.
The World Animal Protection and PENR Partnership
By partnering with World Animal Protection, Phuket Elephant Nature Reserve aligns itself with internationally recognised standards for animal welfare and ethical tourism. We have signed a partnership of cooperation and joined the Elephant Venue Transition Project to ensure we continue to uphold and advance our welfare standards.
We embrace a fully observation-only model, ending any close human interactions that can cause stress or harm to elephants, provide natural feeding areas to encourage instinctive behaviours, and create a safe environment for the elephants in our care.
Commenting on the partnership, Cam McLean, our founder, shared:
“I am honoured to officially join the World Animal Protection Organization through the Elephant Venue Transition Project. This collaboration is an important step in reaffirming our commitment to creating a better, safe and highly beneficial living environment for elephants while promoting tourism that truly cares about animal welfare.”
PENR Receives World Animal Protection Accreditation
PENR is now also an accredited sanctuary by World Animal Protection, underscoring our role as a leader in ethical elephant experiences and our dedication to bringing positive change throughout the tourism industry.
It adds to our growing list of accreditations and awards that recognise our standards as well as the exceptional experiences we offer visitors from around the globe!
Join Our Ethical Elephant Tours in Phuket
If you want to be a part of the future of tourism in Phuket, then join our Phuket Elephant Tours! You’ll do so with the knowledge that we are an internationally accredited sanctuary continuously improving our welfare standards, both for our elephants and our visitors. When joining our tours, you’ll be directly supporting our continued efforts to rescue and care for elephants.
Our partnership with World Animal Protection demonstrates that tourism can thrive without compromising animal welfare. We look forward to continuing the journey and welcoming more guests to our sanctuary. If you have any questions for us, please don’t hesitate to get in touch.
