I knew on the way up to the park that this week would not be easy. Just the first video we watched en route to the park, telling the tales of some of the park’s elephants, had broken my heart. (For Jokia, a sweet elephant’s sad story, click here.)
After we check out our rooms, the volunteers gather again, this time upstairs in the conference room.
Over afternoon tea and cookies (yeah, they treat the volunteers really well!), we grab chairs and sit in front of the giant white screen. We’ve got a DVD to watch. But, it isn’t one of those feel-good, love elephants type of DVDs. It’s one which results with tear stains running down my face and a burning drive to educate everyone else in the world on the horrors of the elephant tourism industry in Asia (and the rest of the world, for that matter).
This documentary shows the harsh reality these elephants face, from being separated as young children from their mothers, and tortured in the phajaan or crush. When we hear the cries of anguish from these docile creatures, it breaks my heart. Seeing them beaten with bullhooks, attacked with bamboo spiked with nails, learning how to do tricks …
One of the ele babies who will never have to be hurt for tourists or logging.
I can’t believe this goes on.
I audibly gasp when I see these images, and I feel Pam, who is sitting behind me, reach out and rub my arm. I know I’m not the only one who is shocked, horrified, disgusted, in what is being shown on the screen in front of us.
Then, we learn about Lek, the founder of the park, who has saved so many elephants.
Her calm and gentle ways with these animals is such a contrast to the abuse they have lived through in the name of learning tricks, accepting riders to go on treks.
But, there’s more.
The expressive eyes of a saved elephant. There's life there yet.
Because, in order to really hit home, and to make us truly understand the impact of the torture and abuse they endure, we see the aftermath of the abuse. The zoom-ins on the expressive eyes of the elephants, now with nothing behind them. We see them balance on their hind legs. Kick soccer balls. Painfully take steps with tourists on their back through the jungle.
And, we see the tourists so in love with all of it. Because, they don’t know.
We learn about the conditions of the camps unknowing visitors in Thailand visit. We see the wounds on their feet from trekking on hard surfaces. We see them pacing back and forth. We see them alone — and elephants are social creatures — and standing, chained to a post, swinging their trunks anxiously.
How can people support this? How can I help educate people to NOT ride an elephant, whether it is in Asia, Africa or in our own backyard? How can I let people know that circuses are not humane for these creatures? How can I convince travelers that their desire to ride an elephant, see the cute tricks … it’s a form of abuse that they don’t even realize?
I walk out of the conference room with a renewed spirit. A new determination.
I’m going to help these elephants. I’m going to get the word out.
To learn more about the elephant tourism industry, please take a moment to visit these links. And please, share the information you gather from this.
Speaking for Elephants: in memory of Mae Sai Roong
Elephant Nature Park: Comforting Those Who Can’t Forget
The Ugly Truth About Elephant Rides
The Phajaan Method of Elephant Training
39 Comments on "A brief education: the dark side of the elephant tourism industry"
I think it is so important that you continue to write about this. I have done some things on my travels that I later realized were wrong (i.e. shark diving in New Zealand) and I would have never gone if I knew.
I had heard some things about Elephant tourism when I was in Thailand and I was too worried to choose the wrong place so I just didn’t do it. I think I made the right decision.
Same here… it’s hard to know what’s right or wrong. I heard different things from different people about elephant tourism when I was in Asia… it’s great you’re educating travelers on this.
I rode an elephant in Thailand, because I assumed that it was the same as riding a horse or a camel. Perhaps that’s the post to write? “How riding an elephant is nothing like riding a horse…?” Or, actually, is it cruel to ride any animal? That may help…
That’s actually very similar to the piece I am working on right now for another site!!
Thank you for writing about this issue. My single biggest travel regret was riding elephants in Jaipur, India. I did not trust my instincts, and still, almost 5 years later I feel ashamed. I look forward to reading more.
Amanda, you’re welcome. Please, don’t feel ashamed. You didn’t know. Now, you do. And can tell other people you talk to who might go ride an elephant not to.
I rode the elephants in Thailand, and I feel no so great about it. However, I did do it through an organised tour of Intrepid Travel, who are well known for their ‘responsible travel’ projects. I believe that the elephants we rode we from a safe park of sorts…well, that’s what we were lead to believe. I hope so. We skipped the zoo and the cliche baby tigers photos for the same reason, and our tour didn’t advocate going there either…so I think the mindset is there, it will just take some time for everyone to catch on.
Hi Kristy, thanks for taking the time to comment! It is important to realize, even groups that say they are “responsible travel” are not so. Responsible travel would mean not packaging tours, treks, circuses, etc. as a part of the package, but rather taking you to parks like ENP where you can experience the elephants without causing them harm. The truth is, riding them, regardless of whether you are at a “good” camp or not, still does damage to them. Their backs are not made for riding, and their feet are not made to walk many of the paths they are taken on. Plus, I don’t know if your tour had this (and if not, perhaps this is where they got the “responsible” aspect from), their mahouts/guides keep them going with the threat of the bullhook, a long stick with a hook at the end of it. Even camps that tout themselves as “conservatories” or “responsible” are not, in reality, so. I am planning on doing a post about this, so stay tuned. I am glad to read Intrepid did not take you to the zoo or the Tiger Kingdom. I know they drug the tigers, but just learned a lot of really horrible information about the kingdom last night … waiting to see the details before I post and educate. It will take time for everyone to catch up, but hopefully with posts like this, and readers like you who can let their friends know, and so on, we can start to change the minds of people and their attitudes towards supporting places like this.
These practices are so horrible. When I read things like this, it makes me more aware of the activities I participate in as I travel. Although these things are hard to read about, it is important that you keep sharing what you know with other travelers.
It is hard to read about and learn about, especially for people who unknowingly supported such practices prior to. My goal is to change the minds of travelers, and hopefully with these posts, it does just that. Thanks for your support!
It’s terrible some of the abuse these great creatures have to endure. Please continue to write more about this.
It is awful … and at the expense of people who, if they knew, would opt not to further such practices. I plan on writing about this a lot more.
I passed on the elephant ride in Pai although my travelling companions did not. I went there and saw that one sad, lonely elephant and just knew I couldn’t.
Good job on getting the word out!
I’m so glad you skipped it. The important thing is, even for those who have ridden them in the past, that they now know NOT to ride them. And tell others. Thanks, Raymond!
i hate to see animals abused for our entertainment. i believe they should be left alone to be wild and untrained
Agreed
I’m so glad that you are being a voice for the elephants. While I’m sure there are some people out there who know these things but do it anyway, my guess is that the large majority of people have no idea this is even happening to those amazing animals.
That’s pretty much the way I feel. Most people who learn about this are horrified and regret their unknowing support. I have only come across a few who don’t care and only want to believe what suits their needs best. To each his own, but I hope what I am doing can actually make a difference and help these phenomenal creatures.
BABY ELEPHANT. GAH. Want one!
LOL! Me too!! Wait until I get to the baby elephant stories. They are priceless!! And awesome.
Really good blog, thank you so much for taking the time to write this post. This web site is very informative. Keep up the good work.
Thank you
I appreciate you taking the time to comment!
Its crazy that so many places market these things to make themselves so responsible and caring for the creatures that live there. Came back from Chitwan Park in Nepal a few weeks ago, and there were elephant breeding centers/ government-owned rides/ private camp rides/ all that. People at every one of them talked about how well they treat their animals!
It is crazy — but I understand why they do it. The camps would never tell tourists their elephants have been tortured in order to be domesticated. It’s up to us to let would-be participants know so they can make their own decisions without being influenced by marketing propaganda and sleek wording. I don’t doubt that some camps treat their animals very well, giving them the needed food,water, social interaction and more. But, the reality is, no matter how well they treat them, they still have been tortured, and the rides, tricks, etc. cause them harm in the long term.
I’m looking forward to being able to volunteer at the sanctuary in northern Thailand. Elephants are smart, beautiful, amazing creatures second only to humans in intelligence and it hurts to see them so beaten down like that.
You will fall in LOVE with them when you spend time with them. Absolute love. Enjoy!!
I visited the Elephant Nature Park a few years ago and loved it. It’s such an inspiring place. I was really all around impressed with the organization and the employees. I did my best to spread the word about the treatment of elephants but I still had friends who visited Thailand after me and went to elephant shows. So frustrating. Especially when one friend said, “But you can tell that they like it. The elephants liked playing soccer!” Oh my. Anyways, I would love to hear more about what you know on the tiger place. I know a few people who have visited and are adamant that drugs aren’t used… but it just feels too sketchy to me.
Thanks for taking the time to comment. I know how you feel — while my friends haven’t done that, when I was in Thailand after my volunteering and told other people, they simply refused to believe it. It broke my heart, but some people only hear and believe what suits their needs. Sadly, this is the case with many and elephant riding. As for the Tiger Kingdom in Chiang Mai, I have heard nothing good about it. But, I don’t want to substantiate or add fuel to any rumors by repeating them here. I would suggest doing a search about it. There are some blogs that address this topic and the treatment of the tigers there.
I recently visited an animal refuge in Cambodia where animals rescued from the pet, fur and medicinal trade go to live. I got to interact with an elephant who seemed happy and healthy- perhaps because his only responsibility was hanging out and getting fed cheetos? I’m no expert but you can check out my photos- I think he looked pretty happy
Your experience sounds amazing!!!
Always wanted to ride elephants, never did, and maybe now never will.
Thanks for spreading the word. There should be some kind of responsible elephant park/instructor certification or label to be established.
Daniele, that makes me so happy to read this. I hope you never do ride one as the impact it has on the animal, along with the inadvertent blessing of their abuse, is really tragic. Elephant Nature Park actually teaches its mahouts a different way to train these animals, along with not offering rides. It would be great if something like this is established. Hopefully one day that will happen!
Hi Diana ,
thanks for sharing your post ,
I’ve found this website of FAE , (but most of the content are in Thai)
http://www.elephant-soraida.com/index.php/en/
they are the first elephant hospital in Thailand , will visit them somewhere this June
Thank you for sharing! Please let me know how your time there is!
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