Mistreatment of Elephants in Thailand
By Erin Sledge
I had the opportunity to go on a trip to Chiang Mai, Thailand. I was so excited to taste amazing food, learn the history and culture, see traditional dance performances, walk through temples and, especially, see the elephants. Seeing the elephants in Chiang Mai is a big tourist attraction so I followed the “tourist crowd” and signed up for an elephant performance and ride excursion.
I watched the elephants draw pictures, do handstands, carry people around, and play soccer. Although it was impressive, it greatly saddened me as the other audience members fully enjoyed it without feeling remorse for the elephants.
My experience has taught me to research before participating in mainstream/tourist activities and has also inspired me to inform others of the elephants’ situation in Thailand, prevent one from supporting hurtful causes, and teach people how we can help these animals.
Although elephant circuses and elephant rides are main attractions for tourists, many are unaware of the cruel ways that the elephants are treated in order to entertain. Capturing elephants for the tourism industry is driven by the fact that tourists want to ride and see elephants perform tricks (Karsten). In order to train elephants to perform in shows, trainers break the spirit of the elephant at a young age by confining them and tying them up in a small space, starving them, and beating them with a sharp metal object called a bullhook (Nagle). As I was on an elephant during the elephant ride, I saw that the elephant rider held a bullhook and I also noticed open wounds and scars on the elephant’s shoulders and head. Elephant trainers use bullhooks to control elephants with the fear of punishment (Nagle). About 5% of Thailand’s elephants are wild and have laws that protect them; this leaves the rest of the domesticated elephant population to be abused (Nagle). Since logging became illegal due to the destruction of forests, elephants are now forced to tourist attractions and street begging by owners that are not familiar with the old knowledge of traditional elephant training (Nagle).
The Elephant Nature Park is a 250-acre sanctuary located in Chiang Mai, Thailand that cares for elephants and other animals like cats, dogs, and buffalos. Their goals are to care for their animals, restore the environment, preserve their culture, and educate visitors. This park also provides various volunteer opportunities to work and care for the elephants.
Click here to learn about them and donate to support this wonderful foundation http://www.elephantnaturepark.
The Asian Elephant Foundation’s goals are to promote education and awareness, solve human-elephant conflicts, and be involved with the well being of elephants. This organization supports many other projects that spread awareness and raise money to provide for the care of elephants such as Elephant Parade, which auctions and sells art pieces.
Click here to learn more on their website and contribute to this cause http://www.elephantnaturepark.
Information Sources:
Why You Shouldn’t Ride Elephants in Thailand
By Matthew Karsten
The Scandal of “Elephant Shows” in Thailand
By Gabrielle Nagle
Pictures:
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