How Can I Help?
There Are so Many Ways to Give
Highland Farm (HF) is a world between jungle and zoo that is not only a safe haven for captive gibbons but helps to educate the people who visit us both in person and online.
As you can imagine caring for so many creatures is quite expensive. As we operate entirely on private funds and donations and are not a part of any wildlife organization or NGO, we depend on your help to keep our residents happy and healthy.
Here're some ways you can help:
Visit Us
Since 1991, more than 19,000 visitors have passed through our gates. We always welcome visitors from a short drop-in to staying for a few months at a time.
Short Visits
You are more than welcome to drop by during business hours if you are in the area. We are located at kilometer 42.8 on the Mae Sot - Umphang Highway (Route 1090). If you want to come by public transport, take a blue truck (Mae Sot - Km 48) from Mae Sot and ask to be let off at 'Highland Farm' or 'Baan Farang'. The journey takes about 30 minutes by private car or 1&1/2 hours by public transport.
Farm Homestays
If you would like to stay at HF, please email us and let us know when you would like to come. We require a minimum three-night stay, which costs $25US/day/pp, including three meals daily, charming country lodgings and memories to last a lifetime. Pick-up from Mae Sot can also be arranged by request. Your money goes directly towards the care of HF's residents. Highland is the perfect place to unwind and learn about the animal world. Please keep in mind HF is quite remote, there is no phone or internet at the farm, providing the perfect escape from the digital world for a few days!
Volunteer
For those with more time and an interest in more formal study, consider volunteering at HF. We require a minimum one month commitment. Duties include whatever specific skills you have that can contribute to the needs and betterment of the farm as well as the daily chores associated with gibbon care: feedings, enclosure cleaning, grooming and of course love, care and attention. The cost is $750US for the first month, $700US for the second month and $650US for the third month and each following month, which includes three meals daily and private accommodations. This is the perfect opportunity to pursue field studies, academic research, etc. If you are interested in volunteering, please Download our Volunteer Kit (67K PDF).
Adopt a Gibbon
Although we grow some of our own fruits and vegetables, we must purchase the majority of the gibbons' food from local markets, which is quite costly. Your financial support is very much appreciated and our 'Adopt a Gibbon' program is the perfect way to help keep our 'kids' comfortable. To adopt, simply visit our 'Creatures Gallery', then send us an email letting us know which animal you would like to adopt. A neat idea is to adopt for a friend. We will send you a thank-you card and keep you updated as to goings-on at HF via our quarterly e-newsletter.
The cost of adopting a gibbon is $90US for six months or $180US for one year.
For payment, we prefer PayPal or cheque, which should be made payable and mailed to:
William E. Deters Foundation
P.O. Box 24 A. Prop Pra
Mae Sot, Tak
Thailand 63110
Build an Enclosure
Enclosures are our gibbons' private 'condos' as we like to call them. We strive to build a 'sabai' (supremely comfortable) home for every member or our family so they can be as happy as possible. With our ever-growing family and older enclosures wearing out we are always needing to refurbish and erect new dwellings. Constructed mainly from steel and fencing, the cost of building an enclosure, including labor is $1200US. If you wish, we are happy to erect a plaque in the donor's honor on the enclosure you donate funds for. Please email us if you would like to build an enclosure.
Cash Donation
William E. Deters Foundation
P.O. Box 24 A. Prop Pra
Mae Sot, Tak
Thailand 63110
If you have any questions or another way you'd like to contribute, feel free to email us. We visit Mae Sot town usually twice per week to check our email and look forward to hearing from you.
As a registered charity we are also able to provide donation receipts for tax purposes.
William E. Deters Foundation
for Gibbon & Wildlife Conservation Projects
Registered No. 36/2546
Registered Charity No. 3-03097469-3
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