Wildlife Friends, the Refuge in Phetchaburi Saving Thailand's Animals

The work of animal rescue is demanding and oftentimes thankless, but one that is necessary. The Wildlife Friends Foundation Thailand (WFFT) finds itself in this terrain, having dedicated its existence to the rescue and rehabilitation of wild animals in the country and standing against all kinds of animal abuse and exploitation, including but not limited to the underground wildlife and pet trade and for-profit tourist schemes like photo prop animals and elephant camps.

The WFFT, a registered non-governmental organisation in Thailand, was established by Edwin Wiek in 2001 with the locals of Phetchaburi. Since then, the NGO has been functioning on the goodwill of passionate staff, volunteers, and supporters.

It has multiple projects, namely the Wildlife Rescue Centre, Elephant Refuge, Tiger Rescue Centre, Wildlife Hospital, Dog and Cat Spay Clinic, Forest Restoration and Conservation, and Gibbon Release & Research Centre.

Since 2004, the WFFT's Wildlife Rescue Centre has taken in thousands of wild animals that they've rehabilitated and released back into the wild. Animals that can no longer be released, on the other hand, are given lifelong shelter.

These animals, which include gibbons, macaques, lorises, langurs, bears, wild cats, civets, reptiles, otters, birds, and more, were saved by the centre from egregious conditions of the pet, tourism, entertainment industries, as well as the illegal wildlife trade.

WFFT is also known for its Elephant Refuge, regarded as Asia's first-ever chain-free elephant sanctuary. The elephants housed in the refuge are victims of decades-long abuse, from being exploited in trekking camps to being forced to perform in front of crowds. The 18-hectare Elephant Refuge ensures near-natural surroundings, boasting of natural trees, lakes, and areas for grazing, so that these gentle giants can live, socialise, and heal.

The Tiger Rescue Centre, on the other hand, is committed to rescuing and rehabilitating tigers that have been kept in captivity. According to the WFFT, there are only 150 remaining wild tigers in the country, and they are at risk of being illegally poached to be kept as exotic pets or used for traditional Chinese medicine.

This rescue centre stands as a "forever home" for rescued tigers that can never be released back into the wild due to what they went through. It is the largest tiger sanctuary in Asia, spanning 17 acres of near-natural surroundings, and offers hope for these creatures to run, swim, and make friends freely with other tigers.

How to Help

Good news: there are many ways to contribute and help sustain the Wildlife Friends Foundation's work. No amount is too small when it comes from the best intentions. Your donations to WFFT, which does not receive government funding, will directly go to rescue efforts and providing the animals with homes and medical care. You may also donate crypto to the foundation.

If you have some time on your hands, you may also volunteer at the foundation to help its 700 rescued animals. You can volunteer at the Wildlife Rescue Centre, the Elephant Refuge, or the Wildlife Hospital here.

To involve your loved ones, you can also organise a fundraiser for WFFT and be as simple or as creative as you want, from setting up challenges like runs and sponsored walks, hosting a dinner party, and asking for donations for a birthday instead of gifts to team challenges and bake sales, among many others. You can create your fundraising page here.

You can likewise donate necessary items to the foundation by checking out its wish list of essential items for rescued animals. These include reptile kibble, vitamins for dogs and cats, syringes, animal toys, cage cleaners, flea and tick shampoo, deworming drugs, towels, and blankets, among other equipment and necessities.

Lastly, you can sponsor a rescued elephant or other rescued wildlife under the foundation's care. Sponsoring an adoption helps the WFFT sustain the essential care it delivers to all its rescued animals.