AFS Position on Elephant Ethics
Nature’s most intelligent, sensitive, social and perceptive creatures; an elephant never forgets! They have been observed recognizing human voices that they have not heard in two decades. They use tools – with trunks, they use logs to test electric fences and sticks to rub off ticks. Abandoned orphans are adopted and wounded are cared for by other outside herds. Elephants mourn their dead. A calf that dies will be carried by the family herd for days. Vigils are held as they bury the body in leaves. They listen for seismic waves in the earth with their trunks, the tip has the highest concentration of unique nerve endings, found in no other animal. Elephants LOVE to play! Found items are used as toys.
These are some of a gazillion reasons why I love Ellies! Sadly, things have changed in our world with them and after a year of intense research, I feel impelled to reveal here the brutal truth about elephants used for tourist entertainment. I warn you that it is graphic so you may want to end here. Or, perhaps, read more at: Elephant Foundation, SSC Asia Elephant Group, IUCN, WAP, Wildlife SOS, WARPS, or GTAEF all wonderful elephant protection agencies.
Why do we insist on riding and trekking? Because we have no clue on the dirty secrets how many elephants are tamed. Handlers (mahouts) tell us it’s for good. It pays for their food. ”Working helps feed the animals (Tuskers need 400 pounds of fodder a day) and tourism is the only option.” Most carry nails hidden in their hands to jab the animal to move. New camps in Asia open every day - nany with no shade, vet care, minimum water, and some even drugged – all for the sake of dollars.
There’s good news ahead and some good sanctuaries exist! In India, visit Wildlife SOS in Agra to learn of new humane laws. In Thailand, 1700 pachyderms are used to entertain visitors at 118 venues. Imagine, only 6% are humane! Anantarra is excellent. Many Mahouts truly care for and love their charges. The Thai government is now training them on how to improve welfare for all.
In Chiang Mai, the most revered ENP (Elephant Nature Park), the only refuge doing a “Pamper a Pachyderm” fun program. It is set on a 250 acre sanctuary for free roaming as well as 300 rescued, friendly dogs. Go to the website to read more about how the founder, Lek, loves her animals. She’s been honored with awards, has a degree in veterinary science, and is a hero in advocating rights for elephants all over Thailand. Some excellent new camps just opened throughout Asia.
For years I have been on the proverbial fence but have come to conclude that future AFS trips will only support wildlife camps that are confirmed humane. It’s all good. You will still delight in ellie interactions! Please pass this on to others so we can educate the world and keep elephants happy in their natural environment.
If you ride, ask yourself 5 questions.
Are they chained before/after riding? Find another place to ride.
Look for fresh cuts. If operator uses hooks, skip it.
Ellies must have access to mud to protect their skin from sunburn and bites. How is their access to mud and water?
Ride only on elephant, not on a heavy bench.
Are they allowed to have other elephant friends? This is necessary for their social wellbeing. If you see them swaying or rocking in chains, it’s a sign of deep emotional distress.
Many would argue that every elephant should be wild and free. But even if you turned every elephant currently in captivity loose, there would be nowhere safe for all of them to go. Their natural habitats have been mostly destroyed; some captive elephants carry diseases that could harm wild populations; and besides, not all elephants get along—even in the jungle. Quarrels between three-ton beasts can be fatal. So it’s a sad reality that thousands of elephants live in captivity. Furthermore, a single elephant consumes 550 pounds of food a day and costs around $18,000 a year to support. Something has to pay their way and that something, for now anyway, is still tourism.
So what’s a conscientious traveler to do?
Start by choosing a camp that has been certified by the local government (in Thailand, that would be the Ministry of Tourism and Sports) and then drill deep on its policies and practices. Any camp worth its salt will be happy to answer questions. Ask how the camp acquires its elephants and what its policy is on breeding. (The last thing the world needs right now is more elephants being born into captivity.) Ask about the camp’s working conditions: Does it give the elephants ample forest time? Are they able to socialize in natural friendship groups and be away from humans? Is the camp providing enough food, water, shade, and exercise? Does the camp employ its own veterinarian or have an alliance with local camps to employ a specialist vet, or does it rely on free government vet care despite making a profit on tourism? And always inquire about the camp’s policies on training: Is it using positive reinforcement to control the elephants, and, if so, how does that work? If the camp claims it has a “no hooks, no chains” policy, ask how the mahouts control the elephants. If they say it’s through verbal commands, or simply “love,” ask how the camp handles potential emergencies that may arise—like when the elephant gets spooked by a snake or a bee or a drone. If it doesn’t have a good answer, you may be putting both yourself and the elephant in danger.