The Elephant in the Zoom: How to Make a Trunk Video Call
and Support Elephant Welfare
Greetings from Anantara,
The pioneering elephant welfare charity, The Human Elephant Learning Programs Foundation (H-ELP), is partnering with the Golden Triangle Asian Elephant Foundation (GTAEF) to launch a global service that stars elephants in Zoom video calls live from their natural habitat in Northern Thailand’s ancient jungle. During the Zoom video call, participants can virtually participate in unique and once-in-a-lifetime elephant experiences, including the Walking With Giants signature experience that provides an optimum way of getting to know the elephants and develop a deeper emotional connection with them.
At a glance:
- The almost total disappearance of tourism throughout Thailand due to Covid-19 continues to have a negative effect on the Kingdom’s 3,800 odd captive elephants – the pandemic has reportedly forced at least eighty-five elephant camps in Northern Thailand to close and as a result the Golden Triangle Asian Elephant Foundation has expanded its work to meet the Covid-19 challenge, including lending a helping hand and resources to Thailand’s traditional elephant owning and wild elephant communities.
- All funds raised through people or organisations booking elephants to partake in their video conferencing will be shared by H-ELP and GTAEF to care for Asian elephants.
- Rates start from US$ 75 to bring elephants in on a Zoom video call for ten minutes; for US$ 145 callers also get a two-minute introduction to their three-ton video call companions and a three-minute question and answer session conducted by one of the GTAEF’s elephant experts.
- H-ELP can coordinate elephants to join in on Zoom video calls that take place during Thailand daylight hours, from approximately 11pm GMT to 11am GMT.
Please find the press release and a selection of images below.