While there is no shortage of wildlife sanctuaries around the world, there are a select few with a deeper mission in mind that are truly prioritizing the health and welfare of their animals beyond anything else. Stand Up 4 Elephants (SU4E) is definitely one that fits into that category. Sitting just outside Sauraha in Nepal, and despite being surrounded by working elephants, they have created a harmonious relationship with the community.

The Mission

While SU4E does care for their own resident elephants, they are also deeply involved in the community both in supporting local farmers by buying their crops to feed the elephants, and by offering their free services to elephant owners in town. By providing support to other elephant owners in any way they can, the staff is committed to truly making wide ranging change in their area. This approach allows the sanctuary to have an impact on more elephants by encouraging small changes and serving as a model for owners who are interested in shifting their management style.

One of the most important considerations when it comes to global conservation work is how you are approaching the local community. Those who approach the community from a place of anger with the goal of evoking shame will never ingratiate themselves to the locals, which is a huge mistake! By creating enemies, the overarching goal of helping wildlife is squashed because those who have the ability to create change will not be open to any further advice.

This is something the SU4E team is well aware of and has done an amazing job of navigating in their area. By offering an example of ethical elephant tourism, other elephant owners know they can approach the SU4E team for guidance, foot care for their elephants, or any other form of help at any time! This has brought about more change in the lives of working elephants in their area and is a great example of how to spread awareness and create change effectively.

The Day to Day

Apart from the community outreach and involvement, there are several day to day duties that the sanctuary must tend to to keep their two elephants, Eva and Lhamo, thriving in their captive environment. Notably, the elephants go into the jungle everyday for five hours to graze and have free time alongside their mahouts and a jungle guide who ensures their safety. While the elephants have time in the jungle, the rest of the staff is free to go cut additional grasses, corn, and other seasonal crops for the elephants to eat in their enclosure after returning from the jungle.

Upon their return from the jungle in the afternoon, they have positive reinforcement training sessions so that their health can be more easily monitored. This enables the staff to check each of the elephant’s feet and gives an opportunity to get a closer look at the elephants in a protected contact setting to make sure they don’t have any health issues that need attention.

When not in the jungle, Eva and Lhamo are kept in their enclosure together where they can dust, eat, or go to relax and play in their pool. With their mahouts living on the sanctuary grounds next to the enclosure, the safety of both the elephants and the humans interacting closely with the elephants is a top priority.

How To Support SU4E

Whether you’re a traveler or not, there are several ways to support the sanctuary! If you plan on taking a trip to Nepal in the future, plan an afternoon visit to see Eva and Lhamo in person. This is a great way to learn more about elephants while also watching the positive reinforcement training session. There is no cost to visit and is completely donation based— making it an accessible excursion for anyone and everyone!

If you’d like to show your support before your next opportunity to travel, I would encourage you to send a donation through their website! Captive wildlife facilities are continuing to struggle in the wake of the pandemic and donations go directly to supporting the elephants and sanctuary staff so they can continue the amazing work they’re doing to improve elephant welfare in Nepal.