Taking care of elephants since 2011

OUR PROJECTS
ONGOING PROJECT

VETERINARY STATION FOR ELEPHANTS

PHASES ACHIEVED:

(1) Building a roofed sick bay

INVESTED COSTS IN THAI BAHT:

264,550

PHASES PLANNED:
(2) Building of a structural veterinary station

(3) Continuous veterinary care

ESTIMATED COSTS FOR FUTURE INVESTMENTS:
2.500 000 THB

GUARANTEE STRESS FREE MEDICAL CARE ON SIGHT:
The current project of the TONG BAI FOUNDATION is the construction of a hospital ward, which not only has access to its elephant, but also to all about 400 elephants in the valley. In case of injuries and illnesses, a veterinarian from the state hospital can treat the elephants in a suitable environment on site and thus can spare them the stressful transport to the state hospital in Lampang, which is over 3 hours away.

Preparing medical treatment on sight.

This elephants’ foot has been infected by fungus. Treatment over several months is necessary.

The sick bay can be visited. Information is given about every case in treatment.

ONGOING PROJECT

PAPER FROM ELEPHANT DUNG

✓   Lots of food = a lot of manure

✓   ecological production of paper from the excrement of elephants

✓   By long boiling no bacterial infection risk

✓   Products like notebook, compartments, key chains and more

Elephants eat enormous amounts: up to 250 kg per day are needed for an elephant to be sufficently nutrified. Although: He never gets full, which is why constant eating is necessary. But not only that, they are also – even though being herbivores – poor feed recycler. In contrast to ruminants, enormous amounts are excreted again – about 60% of the daily food turns into elephant dung. This is normal and yet it can be challenging for elephant camps. Where does it go, all this – yes, literally: crap? We have decided to transform as much as possible into something. The paper made from elephant dung is crude and does not stink. It can be used without problems for small things of everyday life. Whether as a notebook, photo book, key fob, postcard or hairband – the possibilities are great and are constantly being adapted. We can show you the development process on site in all steps and invite you to try it yourself.
Picture frames are possible
Jars from dung – ideal for jewelry
Notebooks from elephant dung
ONGOING PROJECT

EXCELLENT POWER FOOD: HAY

✓   Healthy food with lots of nutrition

✓  Food of more than 200 kg per day require lots of farming areas

✓   Not common in Thailand, therfore quite expensive

✓   Only one farming project in Northern Thailand that grows hay

Our elephants rest during the night in a species-rich forest and grass landscape, so that natural nutrition with herbs, grasses, woods and roots can be predominantly guaranteed. Due to the huge amount of feed of more than 200 kg that a mature animal needs per day, elephant grass, corn and hay must also be fed. The permanent provision of hay in Thailand is a special feature and we are proud to offer our animals this raw fiber and protein rich feed. The long rainy season and high humidity make hay production difficult. Hay , which is extremely healthy and herb-scented for elephants, can only be harvested between December and March. The widespread application of pesticides must also be avoided, which means that annual productivity is comparatively low and hay at 7 baht per kilo is correspondingly cost-intensive. Only in a few places in the country is this high-quality feed produced. One of these places is the village of Ta Goa Muang in the district of Lampun, about 80km from Mae Sapok. Here, a group of 20 farmers collectively cultivates an area of ​​about 48 hectares (300 Rai). The costs of a healthy elephant diet amount to about 60 $ per animal per month.

HISTORY OF
TONG BAI FOUNDATION

2018 – Buying another elephant and begin of project “Black Earth”

May:

  • roof repair / cover viewing terrace

July:

  • elephant purchase of elephant Mopado
  • Construction storage rooms

August:

  • fencing of the entire camp area
  • new website

September:

  • start project “Black Earth”: creating good soil out of elephant dung

2017 – Further Building

February:

  • Mae Boonsin destroys banana field – THB 30,000 damage

March:

  • construction of a tub for food care

August:

  • Buttwrap, Berlin – take us as an animal welfare project in their shop

October:

  • Roof repair / Covered viewing terrace

December:

  • Start Phase 2 VetPoint – Acquire funds for hospital construction
  • Birth of Yaya’s calf (Phu Sinan)
  • Mae Boonsin gets pregnant

2016 – Food expanses covered through donations

February:

  • construction 1st treatment platform VetPoint

March:

  • Boardmember Bodo Jens Förster receives “Discover Amazing Stories Award”

May:

  • Foundation finances food expanses for the elephants independendly

August:

  • Jack and Kaphat leave us
  • New entry Yaya – pregnant (rented)

November:

  • purchase of Mowa

2015 – Start of the vetenary station

April:

  • roof repair / new roof observation deck

October:

  • Roger and Boovie leave us
  • Newcomer Jack (rented)
  • Orphans from CARE Corner Orphanage Sanpatong visit our elephants

December:

  • construction project Vet-Point launched

2014 – Introduction of ultrasound analysis & and rebuilding

August:

  • newcomer Boovie (rented)
  • Newcomer Mae Boontong (rented)

October:

  • Salia leaves us
  • Ultrasound Reproductive System Mae Boonsin by Dr. med. Imke Lüders

November:

  • Start Kral new building (metal pillars and plastic rope)

2013 – Buying an elephant and welcoming guests

March:

  • purchase of Mae Boonsin
  • Relaunch website

April:

  • Nina leaves us

June:

  • Start of the Tong Bai Tour
  • Arrival of the elephant Roger (rented)

July:

  • construction shower platform cement

August:

  • Acquisition of new roaps for the reconstruction of the enclosure

2012 – Begin of structural development

January:

  • Renting ground and preparation for camp construction

February:

  • construction water tanks and pipe
  • Construction viewing terrace incl. Kitchen
  • Facebook page created
  • volunteer program starts

June:

  • construction toilets
  • Construction of Elephant enclosure with wooden pillars and natural ropes

July:

  • introduction of the first rented elephants (Mae Gaeo / Salia / Nina)

October:

  • construction mahout hut

November:

  • equipment kitchen and seating panorama terrace

2011 – Official certification and registration of the foundation

2010 – Application for the foundation

2010 – Death of our beloved elephant Tong Bai