Thailand: How you can create habitat for elephants

Creating a habitat for elephants and offering them a future is the main reason why Chris founded Click A Tree. Elephants and their calves need trees and natural habitats to survive. And you’re probably here because you want to know how new forests help create habitat for elephants.

Oh! Do you want to know whether other animals in Thailand also benefit from the new habitat? Don’t tell me you also want to know why elephants box with trees (new workout?) and how you can help protect their future!

But you are curious! Read on if you want to know how you can make a difference today. But if you’re already convinced and want to plant a tree for elephants, then this way.

Where do we plant trees in Thailand?

We start with a little groundwork about where we plant trees in Thailand. If you have already read We Harvest What We Sow, then you know that we plant trees in the northwest of Thailand, south of the beautiful village of Pai.

Northwest Thailand is still a wild and green mountain area where you can encounter all kinds of animals. However, due to deforestation in the 20th century, we decided to plant trees here.

What has happened to the elephants’ original habitat?

It is estimated that up to 70% of Thailand’s natural forest has been removed due to deforestation and land use change. Northern Thailand was badly affected.

With the boom in Thailand’s population and tourism industry, natural habitats and wild lands have been removed to make way for urbanization and modern buildings. The human population and urban activity spread into areas where elephants had previously roamed.

In addition, there was illegal logging, ivory hunting and the purchase of vast natural areas for personal gain. The crucial habitat for elephants, which was needed for grazing, breeding and survival, quickly disappeared – as did their population.

As a result, Asian elephants are now threatened with extinction worldwide.

We are determined to help northern Thailand reforest so that these wild elephants can thrive again.

Elephants benefit in many ways when we plant trees. But you and I, dear reader, benefit too!

Remember that whole thing about trees providing us with the oxygen we need to breathe?! What about the part where trees create jobs, combat climate change, improve the quality of our soil and naturally filter our air?

If we create more habitat for elephants, everyone (and everything) benefits. We’ll explain it to you.

How exactly do trees help to create habitat for elephants?

At the beginning of the 20th century, there were more than 100,000 wild elephants in Thailand. Nowadays there are only 3,000 – 4,000.

Do you see a connection? We do! This is because Asian elephants are dependent on trees.

First and foremost, elephants need a safe, natural habitat away from modern settlements and the human population. The forest is one of their favorite habitats.

Forests create safe spaces for elephants to raise their children. The plains around the forests offer plenty of drinking water. Of course, trees are also an important source of food for elephants.

Elephants feed mainly on grass, fruit and even trees! We all know how much fruit a single tree can produce. It has also been found that elephants like to eat branches, bark and even the roots of a tree from time to time.

Certain trees even store water in their trunks, which can be of crucial importance during a dry period.

Simply put, elephants need trees to survive, and with your help we will plant as many as possible. In this way, the number of elephants is growing and they have all the habitats they need to live happily in the wild.

Plant a tree for elephants today and secure their future!

Watch elephants live their elephant lives:

What other reasons are there to plant trees in Thailand?

Happy elephants benefit from newly planted trees, there is no doubt about that. But there is also an entire ecosystem (and many other animals in Thailand) that benefit from this.

Studies have shown that elephant grazing helps to improve soil quality and grass quality. Where elephants are present, there is more food in the soil thanks to their dung. This soil can store more carbon and nitrogen.

Great news for us, but even better news for Mother Earth and other animals in Thailand that also feed on this grass!

These nutrients help all types of plants (including trees) to grow in an interconnected system. Other animals in Thailand benefit from healthier soil and grass. But they also benefit when mighty elephants decide it’s time for a small tree.

If an elephant knocks over a tree, smaller animals can also eat fruit. The tree, its branches and all its leaves decompose in the ground, making the soil beneath even richer.

Then the elephants and all the other animals spread the seeds with their dung to spread the forest even further. This is why elephants are referred to as “ecosystem engineers” – they improve landscapes and also increase biodiversity.

It is a brilliant, self-sufficient system. Plant more trees, save elephants, save wildlife and create a natural habitat with just a few clicks.

** Psst… would you like to find out more about where Click A Tree plants trees and receive regular updates on our work in Thailand? Then subscribe to our GROW newsletter. We’ll plant a tree for you when you sign up].

Creating a habitat for elephants with Click A Tree

When you plant a tree with Click A Tree, we make sure that your tree has the best possible chance of survival. We plant natural, diverse and healthy forests instead of simply planting the cheapest tree available.

In fact, we plant around 40 different tree species. These include teak trees, figs, golden shower trees, money trees and even yellow bells. We have identified these trees as the best to build a natural new forest in the northwest of Thailand.

And if for any reason your tree doesn’t survive the first three years, we’ll replant it for free!

Our long-term approach ensures that we create a sustainable habitat for elephants in which the population grows.

Are you now convinced that the elephants’ habitat is worth the effort? When you plant a tusk tree, you are helping to create this vital habitat for elephants and making a difference today.

Check out our Instagram Stories to learn more about the world’s largest land animal and join our Facebook conversation about creating habitat for elephants in Thailand.

Share this article with your friends and family on social media to generate even more attention to this important topic.

Thank you for being great and helping us to create a future for these beautiful animals.