In Thailand, like many countries throughout the world, animals are abused and exploited for profit and human gratification. Thai wildlife is at constant risk from threats including destruction of habitats, the unethical wildlife tourism industry, and the illegal wildlife trade.
Since 2001, WFFT has campaigned and fought against these practices to help protect and preserve Thailand’s wildlife.
We are now one of Southeast Asia’s largest animal sanctuaries and care for over 800 animals across more than 200 acres of forested land.
With an on-site wildlife hospital, the sanctuary rescues and rehabilitates captive or injured wild animals, and offers a forever home to those who cannot safely be returned to the wild. The sanctuary is home to over 60 species of animals, including elephants, tigers, and over 300 primates.
WFFT was founded in 2001 by Edwin Wiek with the help of the local people from Phetchaburi Province, including the Abbot of our local temple Wat Khao Look Chang, who loaned a large piece of land to the foundation to house some of our first rescue animals. We are an NGO (non-governmental organisation) and receive no government funding, and so all of our work is only possible thanks to our generous supporters and donors.
The foundation also campaigns to tackle the exploitation and abuse of Thailand’s wildlife, and educates tourists and local communities on the urgent issues facing these animals today, like the illegal wildlife trade and unethical wildlife tourism.
Another one of WFFT’s projects is the People and Animals (PAT) clinic for street dogs and cats, located in Cha-am district. The free clinic runs a spay-and-neuter programme that helps to humanely manage the local population of street animals. We also vaccinate street animals to help tackle the spread of deadly diseases like rabies.
