The practices surrounding elephant tourism vary widely, and not all are beneficial to these gentle giants. As travelers, it's crucial to understand how to engage with elephants responsibly, ensuring our interactions contribute positively to their wellbeing and conservation efforts and not to exploitation and cruelty.
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Photo by Raissa Lara Lütolf (-Fasel) on Unsplash
Endangered Asian Elephants Eating Deadly Trash? 3 Things You Probably Didn't Know
Endangered elephants in Sri Lanka are losing their habitat every day. As a result, they go into the dumpsters that are within wildlife areas, those same areas which used to be their homes. Over 300 Asian elephants roam around these lands in search of food. Thirty have died already. Will you give them a hand?
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This is an image I took during a trip I took to Chitwan, Nepal. Sadly, the elephant safari rides are widespread and popular. Look closely at the right hind leg of the elephant. A big scar where she has been consistently chained is evident.
Ending Elephant Tourism Cruelty in Our Lifetime - Is it Possible?
Some 32 million people around the world support a campaign driven by Save The Asian Elephants (STAE) to stop elephant tourism cruelty. But why is this the case? Isn’t it fascinating watching them perform, bathing with an elephant or even riding one? You’ll be sure never to support this type of entertainment after you learn what these elephants had to go through.
Join me this week as I share a positive way in which we believe you have made a difference towards potentially ending elephant tourism cruelty in our lifetime.
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Why This British Lawyer is Urging New Laws to Protect Asian Elephants, and Getting Closer
Why is One British Lawyer Urging the UK Parliament to Change the Laws and Protect Asian Elephants? Can COVID-19 provide a new and better way to relate to elephants in captivity? Today we talk to the prominent British lawyer, Duncan McNair, founder of Save The Asian Elephants nonprofit, urging the UK Parliament to protect Asian elephants and to stop tour companies from promoting cruel forms of entertainment. You’ll feel inspired and empowered to stand up for elephants!
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A remarkable feel-good story on how over 100 working elephants went back to their forests thanks to the US nonprofit Gentle Giants. Image: Gentle Giants
106 and Counting - How two Dedicated Women Are Helping Elephants Return to Thailand's Forests
When COVID-19 temporarily shut the tourist industry in Thailand, Gentle Giants founders, Colby Steiner and Diana Muñoz, found a way to keep those elephants who had started the long journey back to their villages in their forests. The goal is to keep them safely there, all 106 of them for good.
Read their story. Spoiler: Bookmark this page, you will want to be a part of it too!
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This is the photo of Lucky Kali, a beautiful 60 year-old elephant who was the first to be rescued from tourist exploitation in Chitwan, Nepal © Image: Association Moey
How to Use Our Creativity to Help Animals in Times of COVID-19
Creativity is a positive outlet. It has the power to help us deal constructively with fear and to help us overcome anxiety.
In this week’s blog post I talk about using our creativity to help animals in times of COVID-19. Whether we want to raise funds for a specific organization or project or to increase awareness about the plight of elephants in Asia, creativity allows us to reach a broader audience through a more personal and imaginative approach.
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What is Elephant-Friendly Tea?
How are elephants connected to the tea we drink? Is there a way to enjoy a nice cuppa while being more elephant-friendly? In this week’s article I will explain what elephant-friendly tea is and how it protects elephants in India. I will also provide a list of companies that have partnered with this elephant-friendly farm in Assam to source their leaves.
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How to Be an Elephant-Friendly Tourist in Nepal - Etiquette Tips & Animal Welfare Approved Sites
The number of foreign visitors arriving in Nepal has increased by almost 40% in the past three years, according to local Nepalese media. This means that there will be more demand for local services and goods to cater for the increasing number of tourists. Among those services, elephant rides will continue to be offered as part of the “experience”. What does that mean to captive elephants and their welfare?
In this blog post we thoroughly explain why the humane and ethical alternatives to elephant rides should be considered on your next trip to Chitwan, Nepal. You will also find useful etiquette tips to visiting the national park as well as an array of vegan options and the review on Nepal’s only elephant-friendly eco-resort (animal welfare approved!).
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This photo was taken during my recent trip to Chitwan, Nepal. Image © Diana, The Elephant Soul
5 Trusted Organizations Promoting the Humane Treatment of Elephants in Asia
These 5 trusted organizations are recognized for the humane values they promote and for their legitimate concern over the welfare of elephants living in captivity. Their work is crucial to ensure that they continue to support an ethical treatment of elephants in their areas of influence. All of them are registered non-profits.
Learn what they’re doing to help elephants in India, Thailand, Nepal and Laos and why they need your help today.
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These happy elephants live their life in retirement at Nepal's only elephant-friendly resort. This place is Tiger Tops in Chitwan National Park. Image © Diana, The Elephant Soul
What is Happening to Asia's Elephants and Why Should We care - 5 Reasons Why They Need Us to Take Action Today
When ethical principles become the basis of our decisions, the tourist industry in Asia will have to yield and change their practices. Some have already done so! There have been new developments and I’m excited to share the information of those venues offering ethical and humane elephant interactions in Thailand, Cambodia and Nepal. No elephant rides of course!
Come join me as I also share 5 reasons why we should be [truly] concerned about Asia’s captive elephants and 5 ways in which we can all help.
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Lucky Kali taking a dust bath. She is the first working elephant in Nepal to ever retire. Image © Association Moey
Fun Ways to Give on World Elephant Day - 10 Companies Supporting Elephant Welfare Around the World
Throughout my years as an advocate for elephants living in captivity, I have come to know about the elephant welfare organizations shared here and believe their work is sound and much needed in the areas where they’re located. Additionally, I have researched each of the companies listed here to make sure that I include them as responsible alternatives for fun gifts to consider giving out on this World Elephant Day.
Thoughtful gifts and donations in honor of our loved ones also help spread the word about the elephant cause. Check these out.
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This is one of my fondest memories of my visit to Tiger Tops Elephant Camp in Chitwan, Nepal. You won’t find another place like this in Nepal for three simple reasons: 1) Elephants are never chained 2) Tourists are not allowed to ride them 3) The incomparable heavenly green areas in which they’re kept.
Elephant Cruelty - 5 [Tried] Effective Ways to Turn your Sadness into Purpose
Are you an elephant lover? Do you want to get involved in this cause but are afraid of feeling overwhelmed or helpless? If so, this post if for you. Here we will discuss what are some ways in which we can use those uncomfortable feelings to be of service to elephants in need.
Here are 5 -tried- effective ways to turn our sadness into purpose. You can try any of these today!
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We all love elephants, so why can’t we ride them?
Tour operators, travel agencies, resorts and elephant handlers around Asia offer tourists the “exciting” opportunity to ride an elephant . Many say it is the “green way” to experience nature and spot wildlife. However, this is far from ideal as these elephants are kept in miserable conditions in order to work for tourists. Many have complained in online forums that the elephants were mistreated and beaten during the ride, or that they felt very guilty because they saw the elephants tightly chained afterwards. Most wish they had known before about the issue.
You can put your compassion into action. Here are the most appropriate ways to interact with elephants in captivity.
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The Emotional Lives of Elephants: 3 Facts that Make Elephants as Admirable as Humans
It is widely known that elephants are kind, patient and gentle sentient beings; but do we know the depths of their wisdom, compassion and loyalty?
The purpose of today’s article is to share bits of research and evidence on what makes elephants so extraordinary and why we, as expats, women and caring humans, need to do more to protect them. The first thing we can do when we travel to Asia is not participate in elephant rides or elephant shows.
Read on to find out more about the emotional lives of elephants.
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This photo was taken during one of my visits to Tiger Tops Elephant Camp in Chitwan, Nepal.
Are you an Elephant-Friendly Tourist? Find out with these 5 Do's and Don'ts + Free Guide
Multiple conservation and animal welfare organizations around the world have done studies, conducted comprehensive research, carried out undercover investigations, and gathered sufficient evidence to show the gruesome side of captivity that most tourists don't get to see. Countries like Thailand, India, Cambodia, Nepal, Sri Lanka, Malaysia, Myanmar, Indonesia, Vietnam and Bangladesh use elephants for profit in different ways.
Here’s what you can do today to help these beautiful animals, plus a free Elephant-Friendly Tourist Guide that you can share with those who are planning a trip to visit elephants.
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