Making a trip to Asia is an investment and naturally, we want to get the most out of it. Aside from the fabulous food, sunny weather and friendly people, one of the main attractions is seeing the diverse wildlife and, of course, being in close contact with an elephant. So why is there a lot of controversy around working elephants in Asia?
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.
Socializing and proximity is an important part of the wellbeing of elephants in captivity. They need to be able to see and touch each other with their trunks for reassurance. Sadly, it is very common to see elephants kept separated, chained and standing alone in concrete enclosures.
I have been involved in elephant welfare for a few years now and hence it is easy for me to see what is unethical with the venues that offer touristy activities like elephant safaris, petting an elephant, seeing elephants riding bikes or performing tricks. But it wasn't always like that.
In all honesty, had I not attended a lecture that changed my views (and my life — I am not exaggerating), I would have also partaken in the abuse, unknowingly. So my purpose of sharing this with you today is that hopefully you will not participate in cruel elephant activities because you now have the background and knowledge to make an informed decision beforehand.
So, here are 5 Do's and 5 Don'ts to help you be an elephant-friendly tourist.
✔ Do's
✔ Research the place you want to visit and check reviews about possible animal welfare issues.
✔ Visit only legitimate sanctuaries and venues where elephants are not chained or beaten and where there is enough green space for them to walk and socialize freely.
✔ Walk with elephants in their natural habitat, do not ride on them.
✔ Volunteer with and/or donate to organizations that promote behavior change and the end of inhumane elephant tourism. A list is provided in the free downloadable guide.
✔ Share your positive experience on social media to promote another way of interacting with elephants. Your compassion will inspire others. You can use the trending hashtags like #stopelephantrides,#BeKindToElephants or #saveelephants.
✗ Don'ts
✗ Pay for services “offered” by elephants like massages, paintings, drinking beer, silly performances or street begging.
✗ Book a place in resorts, camps or tours that offer riding elephants. Before you go, you can ask questions like: Are the elephants chained? Are they able to roam around freely? Do their handlers use bullhooks?
✗ Engage in any activities before you ask for an alternative to riding an elephant. In Chitwan, Nepal for example, it is possible to do a jeep safari and still be able to see wildlife. In Chiangmai, Thailand you can walk with the elephants into the forested areas and see them connect with nature.
✗ Visiting venues where baby elephants are used for photo props or are separated from their mothers. If they are not together, it is very likely that this baby was taken away from their herd it will never be reunited with them.
✗ Bathing with elephants. Captive elephants unfortunately suffer from tuberculosis due to the constant contact with humans. This is true in countries like Nepal and India. A recent travel advisory urges tourists not to ride them. Read more here.
This beautiful female elephant was very patient and allowed us to take photos of her while her friends were bathing nearby. She later joined them. Seeing them in their natural habitat, free from work and being able to do what they usually do in the wild was eye-opening and heartwarming. You can also have this experience when you visit Tiger Tops Elephant Camp in Chitwan, Nepal.
The Resources
Here are some resources that will guide you to make more informed decisions on why riding elephants or participating in shows that involve wild species only contributes to their abuse and exploitation.
♥ Documentaries
♥ Books
♥ Academic Papers
Tuberculosis in captive Asian elephants (Elephas maximus) in Peninsular Malaysia
Not by Bread Alone: Symbolic Loss, Trauma, and Recovery in Elephant Communities
Behavioural reactions of elephants towards a dying and deceased matriarch
Elephants in Captive Environments - ABTAs Specific Guidance Manual
♥ World Renowned Elephant Welfare Organizations
♥ Activist Accounts to Follow on Social Media
♥ Ethical Elephant Encounters around Asia
Nepal - Tiger Tops Elephant Camp (pioneering private eco-resort in Chitwan National park, offers volunteering opportunities every year in collaboration with Elephant Aid International )
India – Wildlife SOS (offers volunteering opportunities)
Thailand - Elephant Nature Park (offers volunteering opportunities)
Cambodia – Save Elephant Foundation (offers volunteering opportunities)
♥ For a comprehensive list of sanctuaries recently reviewed by the Elephant News Network in Thailand and Cambodia visit this link. You can also download this free guide I have developed to help raise awareness in your community about elephants living in captivity. ♥
This vast plot of green land is the home for some of the 12 elephants that live at Tiger Tops Elephant Camp in Chitwan, South of Nepal. They were built under the supervision of world-renowned elephant welfare expert, Carol Buckley. No chains, no cement, only natural lusciuos grass.
- ♥ - 5 Things to take from this post - ♥ -
1. The way to change the increasing demand for elephant rides and performances is by not participating in them. Vote with your dollars. It is a fast and effective way to send a message to the tourist industry that your money will not go into supporting cruelty.
2. There are ethical alternatives in different parts of Asia to see elephants in their natural habitat. If you don’t have enough time to volunteer, consider visiting these humane sites or donating to this or this organization.
3. Your positive impact will not only benefit the elephants, but will also have a ripple effect as your friends, colleagues and family will be inspired by your ethical choices. Make sure to share your photos while walking with elephants.
4. By voicing your concerns to resorts and venues that own or rent captive elephants, you’re letting the tourist industry know that you prefer seeing elephants treated humanely and living in their natural habitat as opposed to chained or suffering.
5. Baby elephants should be with their mothers at all times. In the wild, female elephants stay with their mother for a lifetime or until one of them dies.
What about you? Have you interacted with elephants in the past? What are some recommendations you can share with families and travelers that are planning on going on a holiday to visit elephants? Leave your comments in the section below.
Thank you for being here. Namaste.
Diana
P.S. Don’t forget to download our free Elephant-Friendly Tourist Guide and share it with your friends and with those who are planning a trip to visit elephants.