I fell for it. 10 years ago in Thailand. They convinced me that the elephants were ok. They convinced me that we were supporting a safe place for them. They convinced me that they were different – they were the ethical place in town. They said, “Elephant rides don’t hurt the elephant. They’re big and strong, and can easily carry small humans on their back.” It’s not true! It’s not true! It’s not true! I wish I could scream it from every street corner in Southeast Asia. Visit an elephant sanctuary instead!
So many people go with the highest intentions. And they would never support elephant riding if they had any idea what it means for the elephant. I’d even bet that many of the operators and tour operators don’t know how bad it is.
Simple idea: never support elephant rides or photo ops
Outside of the horrid living conditions, the chains to keep them from moving and the brutal training, elephants’ bodies are not even built to carry heavy weight on their backs. They actually have fragile bones and tissue along their spines that stick out against the skin. They’re not rounded inward like you would expect. The weight is extremely grueling and painful for them. Read more
I was literally on cloud nine last night when I heard Animals Asia’s presentation about their new Ethical Elephant Tourism project in Vietnam. This has been needed for SO long! It’s the first and only elephant sanctuary of its kind in Vietnam.
And it’s so incredible to see such an amazing group putting it in place. I hope this is just the beginning of the end of elephant rides, and the new world of tourism in Southeast Asia.
Links to everything you need:
A VIDEO OF THE ETHICAL ELEPHANT TOUR: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SWl4g9Xq5aw
To BOOK AN OFF-THE-BEATEN PATH EXPERIENCE on Vietnam’s first and only ethical elephant tour: email yokdon.ecotourism@gmail.com, phone +84 (0) 262 3783 049 or visit www.animalsasia.org/EthicalElephantTour
To DONATE TO REPAIR AND REPLACE enrichment toys or the daily care and feeding of the elephants: https://www.animalsasia.org/us/get-involved/animals-asia-events/us-events/webinars.html
URGE TRIP ADVISOR to stop supporting elephant rides on their forums: https://www.animalsasia.org/us/tripadvisor.html
