07 Aug Why Elephant Riding is Bad
MISSION AND VISION
Riding elephants in Thailand may sound like an exciting adventure but it’s actually hurting the elephant and encouraging harmful tourism. It is important to be informed and do your research in order to ensure you are supporting an ethical organization and the elephants’ well-being. But don’t let that discourage you from experiencing these beautiful animals. You can find an alternative and more meaningful way to spend time with elephants through volunteering with a responsible non-profit.
Here are some reasons why riding elephants is bad and a great alternative to spend time with these magnificent giants:
Asian elephants are an endangered species.
Just over 100 years ago there were 100,000 elephants in Thailand and now there are only 5,000 and only about 2,000 of them are in the wild. The more successful that elephant tourism becomes and the more money that tourists pay to ride elephants, the more elephants that will be captured for profit which further endangers the survival of the species. Unfortunately, a lot of animal treatment is driven by profit so where you put your money can make a huge difference.
Asian elephants are an endangered species.
Just over 100 years ago there were 100,000 elephants in Thailand and now there are only 5,000 and only about 2,000 of them are in the wild. The more successful that elephant tourism becomes and the more money that tourists pay to ride elephants, the more elephants that will be captured for profit which further endangers the survival of the species. Unfortunately, a lot of animal treatment is driven by profit so where you put your money can make a huge difference.
Tamed elephants are abused.
A wild elephant will not perform tricks, do paintings and yes, let humans ride on their backs without abusive training as a baby elephant. There are grim photos and videos that you can further find on the internet to get a visual of the torture that happens in order to tame an elephant. It starts with breaking the spirit of a baby elephant with isolation, beatings and starvation. That way, the elephant will learn to fear this torture and do as its commanded around tourists. If you are visiting a park, sanctuary or any organization that offers entertainment or riding of elephants, you can be sure that the elephant was once abused.
It can cause long-term back pain for the elephants.
It may be hard to imagine such a strong animal getting back pain from carrying a relatively small human but it’s true. Elephants were not meant to carry weight on their spines for long periods of time and doing so can cause long-term damage. Multiply the strain by several people per hour per day over many years and it can cause some serious long-term harm.
A wild elephant will not perform tricks, do paintings and yes, let humans ride on their backs without abusive training as a baby elephant. There are grim photos and videos that you can further find on the internet to get a visual of the torture that happens in order to tame an elephant. It starts with breaking the spirit of a baby elephant with isolation, beatings and starvation. That way, the elephant will learn to fear this torture and do as its commanded around tourists. If you are visiting a park, sanctuary or any organization that offers entertainment or riding of elephants, you can be sure that the elephant was once abused.
It can cause long-term back pain for the elephants.
It may be hard to imagine such a strong animal getting back pain from carrying a relatively small human but it’s true. Elephants were not meant to carry weight on their spines for long periods of time and doing so can cause long-term damage. Multiply the strain by several people per hour per day over many years and it can cause some serious long-term harm.
An alternative: volunteer to care for elephants.
The good news is that there are non-profits out there that are looking after the best interest of the elephants. Again, make sure that you do your research to ensure you are supporting an ethical organization and avoid those that are offering elephant rides and shows, no matter how convincing they may be that the elephants are taken care of.
A great way to experience elephants is to participate in a one-day volunteer experience offered by Elephants World in Kanchanaburi Thailand. This sanctuary acts as a ‘retirement’ home for old, injured and abused elephants and it is a place where humans work for the elephants, not the other way around. Taking care of elephants is a lot of work so volunteers are a big help in preparing food, feeding the elephants and bathing them. For more information on this volunteer experience, check out the Give A Day Global project description.
The good news is that there are non-profits out there that are looking after the best interest of the elephants. Again, make sure that you do your research to ensure you are supporting an ethical organization and avoid those that are offering elephant rides and shows, no matter how convincing they may be that the elephants are taken care of.
A great way to experience elephants is to participate in a one-day volunteer experience offered by Elephants World in Kanchanaburi Thailand. This sanctuary acts as a ‘retirement’ home for old, injured and abused elephants and it is a place where humans work for the elephants, not the other way around. Taking care of elephants is a lot of work so volunteers are a big help in preparing food, feeding the elephants and bathing them. For more information on this volunteer experience, check out the Give A Day Global project description.
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