I strongly believe that the future for elephant tourism is in high welfare facilities that offer limited to no interaction. Read up on their story, practices and, if available, their ethical animal welfare policy. Jungle trekking in Bukit Lawang and coming face-to-face with orangutans in their wild habitat is an experience we will never forget. Our Elephants. You can share your experience with us via Facebook Messenger. By entering this environment, you significantly increase the likelihood of becoming seriously ill or catching an eye infection. A bullhook, also known as an elephant goad or ankus, is a tool used by elephant handlers or mahouts. You can read our Tangkahan Elephant Sanctuary Review and learn from our personal experience. Our new research shows there is a growing awareness among tourists that circus-style shows using elephants and elephant riding cause suffering. This is a good way to keep the original owners involved in the changing face of elephant tourism. The bullhook has always been part of the normal kit of mahouts for generations. This is an extremely divisive topic. Elephant expert, Lek Chailert, founder of Save Elephant Foundation and Elephant Nature Park, says that bathing is a fundamental habit of elephants and one that is better done alone. Offering both half-day and full-day tours, you are sure to make some incredible memories at Phang Nga Elephant Park.The full-day includes a Thai cooking class so it's really a two-for one on . Nothing more than that. Weve followed our own advice and shared our personal experience on the Tangkahan Elephant Sanctuary in Indonesia. There are many volunteer and wildlife conservation projects around the world. If used correctly, the ankus is not a cruel tool. Read our guide tobeingan elephant-friendly tourist here. Pattaya | Elephant Jungle Sanctuary Do Anti Fog Scuba and Snorkel Mask Honestly Prevent Fogging? Through pain and fear, elephants are forced to learn confusing routines that have no connection to their natural instincts and conduct. Check the organisations website. U.S. only. Why Washing Elephants Still Promotes Suffering, All You Need to Know About Visiting Australia, 6 Places to Hang with Monkeys in the Wild. However, in reality, it was simply torturing the animal so that it would be afraid to disobey its master. In this way, even an elephant purchased for rescue will result in another elephant being bred and trained, before (most often) moving into the tourism business. The facility holds one elephant, Asha, who is used for giving rides. In turn, I am responsible for their safety. Find out where their elephants come from. On one hand, many travellers are appalled the moment they see an elephant chained. An Ethical Elephant Sanctuary Will Limit Direct Contact With Elephants, 4. Any sanctuary that takes care of elephants and says they dont use them or at least have them on-site, is doing one of two things. Elephants are often left injured, traumatized, and broken, and some dont survive the process. Modern, compassionate travelers are refusing to take elephant rides while traveling throughout Asia, Africa, and elsewhere. Together, we can influence positive change by not supporting them with money. The bill failed, but if a roadside zoo can only stay in business by getting a free pass to abuse animals, that zoo shouldnt be in business in the first place. Visit an elephant camp with internationally-recognised camp standards. If it goes into a rampage, the situation can get out of control and become deadly. Expedia, Inc. is not responsible for content on external Web sites. We dont know what the exact number is, but if it feels like youre struggling against a sea of selfie-sticks, thats probably not a good sign. Elephant Care Ethics Chai Lai Orchid How to Find Responsible Elephant Sanctuaries? Elephant Nature Park worth it? : r/ThailandTourism - Reddit Mike Swainwho runs Trunks and Humpsused to work in the circus industry and was caught on video kicking and beating Krissy in the face as well as dragging her to the ground with a bullhook at a circus. Elephants: Covid and ethics reshape Thailand's tourism industry The findings are horrifying, revealing that 2,390 (63%) elephants are suffering in severely dire conditions at 357 venues across the countries studied, and of those just 279 (7%) elephants are kept in high-welfare venues. You will also have a chance to learn about the behaviour, history and ethics of elephant care in Thailand. Bottom line to this is, dont support any organisation that offers elephant riding even if you wont ride the elephants when youre there. It should also have sufficient water, food, shade and be completely chain-free. But for the animals themselves, such activities can mean a lifetime of chains, bullhooks (which are sharp steel-tipped rods that resemble fireplace pokers), and forced interactions with the public. Buried with an elephant's tusk, an ivory comb, a crystal dagger, an ostrich eggshell and a flint dagger inlaid with amber, the skeleton discovered in a tomb near Seville, Spain, in 2008 was . Yet throughout the elephant tourism industry, we see just that: the gross capitalisation and normalisation of elephant abuse. While bathing elephants itself isnt harmful, its the process to get the elephants to go against their natural instinct to avoid humans thats often unethical. Participants have been tossed into the air during elephant baths, and handlers have been killed after tourists have attempted to take selfies with elephants. Sbastien Duffillot (Founder of Elephant Conservation Center, Laos) The use of a bullhook must be strictly reserved to life-threatening situations where the elephant is out of control and the life of mahouts, staff, visitors or other elephants are at risk. The family or the camp owner goes on to make a living with the new elephant in the same way they did before. Elephants, like ourselves, have a personal space requirement and sanctuaries must provide this. This sanctuary allows the visitors to interact and play with the elephants. Phuket's Most Ethical Elephant Sanctuary | Located in Paklok| WHY WE DO NOT OFFER BATHING Why we do not offer bathing or mud bathing with our elephants Elephants love to swim, cool off and splash in the water, and to cover themselves with thick mud. Clarence Thomas and Ketanji Brown Jackson criticize each other in - CNN (A mahout is a person who works with and tends to an elephant.). In 2022, Endangered Ark backed an insidious bill called the Endangered Ark Foundation Preservation Act that was designed to protect trainers caught abusing elephants from prosecution under the states cruelty laws. The good news is that, in the same way that tourists fuel elephant or any sort of wildlife exploitation, we also have the power to influence a positive change. In England, not every policeman has one, we have dedicated units, but the police force as a whole still has them on hand. This way travellers can be sure that all areas of elephant welfare have been considered. The Carden family has employed other abusive workers, including two who were hit with five cruelty-to-animals charges in Canada in 2000 for infliction of unnecessary pain and suffering on three elephants. Therefore, the best approach is to visit sanctuaries that encourage observation rather than direct contact with elephants. Drew Rosenhaus: Sports agent's shark wrestling video slammed by PETA After six months on the road, she founded a print magazine that became legendary on the Banana Pancake Trail. What ethical wildlife tours have you been on? Notorious elephant exploiter Have Trunk Will Travel, known for this shocking undercover video of trainers hitting, jabbing, chaining, and shocking elephants under the guise of training, moved from California to Texas following the enactment of Californias bullhook ban and rebranded itself as Hill Country Elephant Preserve or The Preserve.. This breeding facility and home site for Carson & Barnes Circus misleadingly claims to be a retirement ranch for elephants, yet it still sends elephants on the road to perform in circuses and uses them for painting, bathing, feeding, and photo ops. Our excitement was quickly met with mixed feelings. When I got to the river I have seen 4-5 older elephants in it with their TRAINERS on their backs (I cannot use the word mahout here - and the guide also used the word trainer). These intelligent, sociable creatures are the victims of a trade that exploits them in their thousands. It has an abysmal record of failing to provide elephants with adequate veterinary care or necessary foot care, perform valid tuberculosis tests, treat skin problems, or furnish shade in 89-degree weather. Sadly, most captive elephants die decades short of the natural life expectancy of their species. But the roadside zoo says that the move is only temporary and that it will bring him back when it can get more elephants. An elephant weighs between two and a half to five tons. Once you have fed them an impressive amount of food and had time painting with the elephant, it is shower time for everyone. As a sustainable, long-term solution, were advocating for a captive breeding ban on elephants to ensure future generations are spared this trauma. We would never condone cruel or tortuous camp behaviour. But its particularly alarming that Myakka Elephant Ranch allows interactions with Carol, who once crushed a trainer to deathan eyewitness said that she had him going like a rag doll.. As travellers become more educated and demand wildlife to be treated ethically, we hope that more and more wildlife operators change their ways. Another claim that is often made is that elephants would not spend so long in the water of their own accord. Elephants are a true wonder of nature and people should be able to enjoy their elephant experience in Southeast Asia without feeling guilty.. An unfortunate downside of the sanctuary industry is that they require older, docile elephants so end up buying elephants that families would be otherwise looking to retire. The enclosures should be large enough for the elephants to roam around. Phuket's Most Ethical Elephant Sanctuary | Located in Paklok| At South East Asia Backpacker, we have chosen to work solely with elephant sanctuaries which practice a hands-off policy. A policeman and a gun is a good analogy. But right now, the reality is there is not enough funding and resources available to make these ideals. Registered Charity Number: CFN 16458. Things you can't do The truth behind most elephant sanctuaries in South East Asia How elephants are trained for riding The relationship between the mahout and the elephant Volunteering is not only a great way to give back. Is Yok Don National Park a legitimate elephant preservation? Do Proper Research Before You Visit an Elephant Sanctuary, Best Ethical Wildlife Tour in South East Asia, list of elephant sanctuaries by Responsible Travel, Tangkahan Elephant Sanctuary in Indonesia, Best Outdoor Things To Do in Krabi, Thailand: An Epic 3 Day Krabi Itinerary, 60 Virtual Tours To Travel The World During The Coronavirus Pandemic, Thailand Transportation Guide: How To Get Around in Thailand for Cheap. Across Asia, there are over 3,800 captive elephants exploitedfor tourist entertainmentin 357 camps. The outdated stereotype of all elephants going through a spirit-breaking trauma needs to stop. Phang Nga Elephant Park - Phang Nga. There is considerable controversy over whether or not bathing with elephants is ethical. Ava Lalancette (Never Forget Elephant Foundation) We do touch our elephants at Never Forget, but since they are free roaming in the jungle and are free to come up to us if they wish, we believe its safe/fair for both us and the elephants. As eyewitness investigations have repeatedly shown, elephants used for human entertainment are commonly stolen from their mothers and herds as babies and beaten mercilessly to break their spirits and make them fearful and submissive. WHY MOST ELEPHANT "SANCTUARIES" AREN'T ETHICAL 1. This isnt innocent fun. The flood of images could confound the central tracking system built to block such material from the web because it is designed only to catch known images of abuse, not detect newly generated ones. Write a review on TripAdvisor or Google to warn other travellers, or simply share this guide. Nowadays these elephants fetch the highest prices at sale. We at ECC are currently experimenting with releasing elephants. Venuesoffering these experiences are also falsely masquerading themselves as 'sanctuaries', 'rescue centres' and as 'ethical', duping well-meaning tourists. Is the elephant in their natural environment or as close to their natural environment as possible? Your adventure travel and expat guides! They work together to solve problems and rely on the wisdom, judgment, and experience of their eldest relatives. through aggressive encounters and unwanted sexual advances. 6 Completely Ethical Elephant Sanctuaries in Thailand - iExplore limited space, unnatural environment, number of animals at a facility, etc. Tragically, the elephant died in her arms following complications that arose after an accident left the two-year-old partially paralyzed. You can no longer bathe the elephants, as any contact is completely on the elephants' terms - they can come up to you and walk away if they want to. Do travellers care about mahout deaths, or are locals viewed as expendable? The important question is how/when to resort to using it. How to Have an Ethical Elephant Experience - Away From Origin If I have one of his mahouts ride him then he wont attack anyone but the mahout, unless the mahout has a bullhook. Then he is fine. Phuket's Most Ethical Elephant Sanctuary | Located in Paklok| WHY WE DO NOT OFFER BATHING WITH OUR ELEPHANTS A peaceful video of our elephants bathing together in the pond which is why we do not offer the activity for our guests to bathe WITH our elephants. Why Bathing with Elephants is Unhygienic and Unethical Encouraging ethical chain management where elephants are on long chains, with access to natural food and water should be a priority in the industry. She was captured in nature and has lived alone for years in unnatural isolation from others of her kind. Heres what goes on behind the scenes at 10 American roadside zoos where elephants are forced to give rides, paint, and perform other confusing tricks: to experiment on, eat, wear, use for entertainment, or abuse in any other way. Don't leave your furry friend at home during your next travel adventure. Another handler beat Paula with a cane during the incident. As such, it's harmful to you and the elephant. Travelers who care about elephants should opt only for observational activities and avoid any facilities that encourage the animals to come into direct contact with the public. Video footage shows that baby elephants are forcibly separated from their mothers, tethered with ropes, crammed into wooden boxes, gouged with weapons such as bullhooks or nail-studded sticks, and beaten mercilessly. What many people dont realise is that the elephants that you will find in elephant sanctuaries across Southeast Asia have either been bought, (having been previously owned by a mahout family or another elephant camp or zoo), or they are currently being rented. Riding elephants with a chair or howdah is a definite no-no. 5 Ethical Elephant Sanctuaries to Visit in Thailand - AFAR If not done on an industrial scale (like some places where splashing elephants is encouraged and hundreds of backpackers a day end up splashing the elephants face, which is stressful) touching an elephant is not bad, if conditions of safety and welfare are met).. Tourists need to know the truth any elephant that you can get close enough to touch is an elephant thats been subjected to horrific abuse. Ethical travelers seek out such excursions, but far too many fail to meet even the most basic tenets of a genuine sanctuary. We realised that feeling guilty for naively supporting a fake sanctuary does not help anyone, let alone the elephants. Our trained English-speaking guides give visitors insight into the behavior and the personal history of our elephants, while our mahouts help people realize incredible life experiences such as bathing elephants or . An Ethical Elephant Sanctuary Will Never Offer Elephant Riding, 2. Or are they orphans that will eventually be released back into the wild? So far it has proved successful but it requires a lot of work and the presence of teams in the field to make sure poaching is avoided and the elephants are safe. Is Elephant Bathing Ethical? Sure, target-train the elephants and perform clinical or health check procedures too. Monterey Zoo reached a settlement with the California Division of Occupational Safety and Health, which cited the roadside zoo for failing to establish and implement an effective injury- and illness-prevention program to ensure a safe work environment. Is Elephant Bathing Ethical? - corapark.com Often, the motive for this decision is that its an activity carried out for the benefit of the tourist rather than the elephant. Explore > Interests > Animals > Why Washing Elephants Still Promotes Suffering. Elephant tourism in Southeast Asia is a controversial topic and things are rarely black and white. Unfortunately this is not always possible. If the elephant is calm and there is no issue, then we do not need them. This is an easy one. Not only are these elephants kept in small cages, they are usually physically abused as well. The roadside zoo was previously cited in 2015 for failing to provide Asha with adequate veterinary care for overgrown footpads, broken toenails, and dry, thickened skin. NFL agent Drew Rosenhaus recently came under the ire of People for the Ethical . Positive training and verbal commands are taught from a very young age. Never did we think that it was possible to get up close and personal with elephants. To make elephants learn demeaning tricks, handlers beat, shock, and punish them. Whether taken from the wild or bred in captivity,all elephants used for close tourist contactsuch as bathinghave undergone a traumatic training method known as thecrush. How Expensive is Crete? Sometimes elephants will be rented from a mahout family. Without funds how can they feed their elephants, pay their staff and provide quality care?. You can still support us by buying products and services that we recommend. What's wrong with elephant painting and elephant bathing? The current aggressive campaign against riding from several animal welfare groups doesnt provide any answers or solutions but instead merely demonises elephant riding and local mahouts, which is detrimental to the animal in the long run. 13 ethical elephant sanctuaries in Thailand Only a qualified elephant keeper should wash an elephant. Still, they are equally fascinating. Touristsalso hold considerable power to turn their backs on unethical practices and can opt instead to see elephants in their natural habitat or support elephant-friendly camps. We pay our respects to their Elders past, present and emerging. A whistleblower from the Barreda familys circus days reported that they routinely kept elephants on short chains for 24 hours a day, and the exhibitor received an official warning from the USDA in 2011 after failing to maintain a program of adequate veterinary care. Camps around the world are exploiting travelers goodwill and generosity by adding the word sanctuary to their names and by claiming to have rescued animals. The majority of people still appear to think that touching elephants is fine. ? No animal should ever be used for the luxury of humans. Oh, and dont forget to subscribe! Find out how you can find and support an ethical elephant sanctuary before your next trip. At the beginning of the 20th century, Thailand's forests teemed with a wild population of more than 300,000 Thai elephants. The focus is on responsible and sustainable elephant experiences, ensuring these . So we decided to visit a sanctuary instead. Since this incident, Paula and two other elephants, Kristy and Buffy, have died at Monterey Zoo. They have general wildlife conservation projects in South Africa, Namibia and Botswana. Crucially, Chiang Mai takes elephant welfare very seriously, and does not allow riding or elephant tricks. Dr Ingrid Suter (Elephant Conservation PhD) There have been MAJOR issues at no hooks/no chains camps. Msg/data rates may apply. If you want to support a small, budding family business and ethical elephant practice, then you are going to want to check out the newest elephant park in Phang Na. At the end of the day, I am not prepared to have visitors or staff members injured or killed in our quest to give this elephant a better life. Essex has lived alone since her sole companion died in 2014, a solitary existence completely at odds with an elephants social nature. Not only was it incredibly memorable, it is also 100% ethical. But they are still there. As sad as it is, many travellers are still not aware that you should not ride an elephant. Please, never visit roadside zoos or any other venue where wild animals are exploited for human profit. Is it Ethical to Volunteer with Elephants in Thailand? - GoAbroad.com At Never Forget, we do not use chains on our elephants, however, I feel very strongly that we should be coming together and not alienating those who have no choice but to use a chain.. For ethical travelers who are fascinated by the worlds largest land mammal but know that elephant rides are cruel, bathing elephants affords a way to get up close, seemingly without causing them the kind of harm that rides do. The fact of the matter is that everyone has bullhooks, but the difference in a real elephant keepers mind is not if you have one but what you do with it. Is Elephant Tourism Ethical? - BootsnAll Travel Articles #1 of 52 things to do in Kanchanaburi Nature & Wildlife Areas Closed now 9:00 AM - 5:00 PM Visit website Call Email Write a review About ElephantsWorld was founded in 2008 and is a sanctuary for sick, old, disabled, abused and rescued elephants, who will receive the rest and joy that they deserve. Ancient stories suggest that the captors believed that they were separating the evil wild spirit of an elephant from its body so that it could be controlled. Is ProShot Dive Case the Best Waterproof iPhone Case for Snorkeling, Diving & Swimming? I have a 23-year-old bull elephant, a tusker who weighs around 4,000kg. When it comes to wild animals, theres simply no safe way to touch, play with, or get up close to them. Posted by T.I.G.E.R.S. Text STOP to end, HELP for more info. We dont hit him, beat him or control him with fear or pain, we can just talk to him and nudge him with our toes but that mahout does need a bullhook in case something goes wrong. Here we chain the elephants, on long (12, 15, 20-metre) chains and fresh ground, every couple of days., Sbastien Duffillot (Founder of Elephant Conservation Center, Laos) Long chains (30-50 metres) can be used to keep elephants at night in venues that are established near populated areas or without effective fencing. World Animal Protection Limited (formerly WSPA Australia Limited) We do not encourage riding either. Meanwhile, the USDA has repeatedly cited Antle for an extensive list of AWA violations, including failing to provide animals with adequate veterinary care, water, uncontaminated food, and clean, safe enclosures. "The takeaway is that those who demand that no one think about race (a classic pink-elephant paradox) refuse to see, much less solve for, the elephant in the room - the race-linked disparities . The Western hysteria surrounding hooks and rides needs to stop. When it comes to elephant tourism, there is no black and white (elephants are grey after all!
