About Us

Mission

In collaboration with local Karen communities, we work towards sustainable solutions that benefit both people and wildlife. Alongside improving elephant welfare, we focus on protecting habitats and promoting biodiversity for a healthier environment for all. Upholding ethical and legal standards, we are fully licensed with all necessary Thai permits and certified by the Livestock Department under the GAP program, guaranteeing responsible and high-quality animal care. To respect the elephants’ space and ensure safety, we do not allow physical interaction between visitors and elephants, and we do not support elephant rides or performances.

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Responsible Thailand Community Based Tourism Award

Colorful spherical logo with green, yellow, blue, and dark blue curved lines forming a swirl pattern.

The World Responsible Tourism Animal Welfare Award

Thailand Green Excellence Awards 2017 logo with a green fern leaf.

Thailand Green Excellence Animal Welfare Award

Two young women with backpacks sitting on a trail in a dry, hilly landscape with leafless trees and sunshine.
Two women are examining a small black dog outdoors, with one woman holding the dog and the other wearing a face mask around her neck.
Silhouettes of a man and woman standing near a small campfire at night in a wooden shelter, surrounded by trees.
Campfire with flames burning amidst rocks and wooden sticks in the dark.
A dog lying on the ground near a campfire at night, surrounded by logs and trees.
A woman gently petting a baby buffalo while holding its head, with a larger buffalo nearby in a grassy outdoor setting.
A raised wooden house in a rural, forested area, surrounded by trees and greenery, with a dirt path leading up to it, and a small wooden fence in front.
Group of children walking along a dirt path with trees on each side, smiling and chatting, during daytime.
Three people resting in hammocks under a wooden shelter in a lush green, outdoor setting. One person is adjusting their shoe near a green laundry basket.
Children and adults participating in a game or activity indoors, with some children lying on the floor and others standing, surrounded by wooden walls and floor, with a woman in black seated and reaching out, and others standing nearby smiling.
Woman giving a presentation about elephant conservation in a rustic wooden room with a slide on a TV screen, a laptop, and a group of listeners.
A young girl holding a whiteboard with handwritten phrases and smiling at the camera. The whiteboard contains text with a mix of English and another language, including words about sleeping and dreaming. The background shows greenery and a wooden str

OUR WORK IN ACTION

We support elephants by working from the roots up—partnering with local communities. We provide alternative income solutions and build strong relationships. Beyond elephants, we care for the village and forest.

With little research on Asian elephants, our studies help improve elephant welfare across Asia. Our visitors and interns learn from our work and spread awareness globally, driving positive change.

We are proud to be supported by reputable organisations like World Animal Protection (WAP) and FAADA, which recognise our commitment to high-welfare elephant care and conservation.

Our impact

Minimalist line drawing of an elephant

6 elephants in 4 generations

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200 Karen people we live with in our village

Simple line drawing of a young plant sprout with two leaves.

4,000 acres of community forest for the elephants to roam in

OUR TEAM

It’s all about people…

We are a small organisation, living and working together like a family. We support each other, the local Karen communities, and the animals and nature around us.

A woman with curly brown hair taking a selfie in a lush green jungle, with an elephant grazing in the background.

  • Cristina, Co-Director of Kindred Spirit Elephant Sanctuary, is originally from the North of Spain, holds a bachelor's degree in Human Resources Management and an international diploma in biodiversity and conservation. She also has a background in the tourism industry and education, further enhancing her skills in communication and advocacy. Her hobbies include organic farming, yoga, as she is a certified yoga teacher, and cooking. She travelled to Thailand in 2015 where she began her journey working with captive elephants. This first experience was eye-opening, exposing her to the harsh reality faced by Asian elephants in captivity. Since then, Cristina has worked on various projects, advised centres seeking ethical improvements, collaborated with NGOs, and visited dozens of different centres across Southeast Asia. Cristina remains committed to raising awareness and advocating for the ethical treatment of elephants, striving to create positive change in the tourism industry.

A young woman with long black hair smiling outdoors near a river, wearing a gray t-shirt with a black elephant logo and text, surrounded by greenery.

  • Kanda is our Activities and Community Relations Coordinator, and has spent her life surrounded by elephants. She grew up in the Karen village our sanctuary is set in, but has spent most of her time studying. Now that she is back home in her village with her family, she is very keen to join our project and teach our guests and interns about the Karen way of life. In her spare time, she can be found weaving and embroidering the traditional Karen shirts, skirts and bags

A young woman with long hair, wearing a blue shirt and beige long-sleeve shirt underneath, stands outdoors in a forested area with her hands on her hips, smiling slightly at the camera.

  • Our research and intern coordinator, Lacey, comes from Florida, USA and has a degree in zoo animal technology. She has a background in animal management and conservation breeding, having worked with various taxa in a zoological setting. She started as a research intern at KSES and fell in love with the biodiversity Thailand offers, as well as the elephants. In her free time, you can find her fiddling with the guitar and playing with the dogs.

A young woman with shoulder-length brown hair smiling at the camera, wearing a gray t-shirt with a logo, carrying a backpack, standing outdoors in front of lush green trees.

  • Our Program Coordinator, Maria, is Polish and holds a degree in Multimedia Design and Digital Concept Development. She has a background in local community development and Erasmus+ NGO projects and was previously a Research Intern at our sanctuary. She enjoys exploring various art mediums, including painting, dancing, and repurposing natural resources.

A man smiling outdoors, wearing a traditional patterned shirt, surrounded by green plants and trees.

  • Neung is a man of many talents! In addition to coordinating our transportation logistics, he serves as the manager for our Gibbon Encounters initiative. Hailing from the Karen village where this project is rooted, Neung possesses profound knowledge of Karen and Thai culture, alongside expertise in gibbons. Fluent in English, he takes delight in connecting with each of our guests on a personal level. He is passionate about his community and helping the local people, to not only preserve their culture, but to preserve the forest and the wildlife there too. 

A man wearing a gray Nike cap and sweatshirt is outdoors with green foliage and three elephants in the background.

  • Sagluh is our head mahout and the care taker of Dodo, who have been together for many years. Sagluh has been an integral part of our project since its inception, and has a gentle and nurturing nature, especially with the elephants who he often brings treats for. Despite his young age, Sagluh possesses a wealth of knowledge and expertise in the realm of elephant care, making him a valuable resource for fellow mahouts. Watching the interactions between Suh Gluh and Dodo is always a favorite from our visitors.

Seven young men standing together in a green forest, wearing outdoor and hiking gear, smiling at the camera.

  • The most important members of our team are the mahouts, or elephant caretakers, who dedicate their days to the welfare of our elephants and ensure their safe exploration of their natural environment. they are caretakers, advocates, educators, and experts who contribute significantly to the well-being and protection of elephants, whether in captivity or in the wild. Their knowledge, experience, and dedication are critical components of successful conservation efforts.

MEET OUR ELEPHANTS

Our herd is a family of six elephants spanning four generations. Each has their own story, from past hardships in logging and tourism to a new life in the forest. Get to know them and see how they thrive in their natural habitat.

…and elephants