Repost from @anonymousforthevoiceless - Exploitation of animals comes in many shapes and forms. One such way is animal tourism. - In the image above, the elephant is going through a process known as Phajaan, a method of domestication used on wild elephants in parts of Asia. Elephant riding is an extremely popular attraction in countries such as Thailand, and taming of the elephants is needed in order for tourists to partake in it. - “Phajaan” (or “to crush”) means "to divorce a baby elephant from their spirit" or to ''split the will" of a baby elephant. This process stems from the belief that a tribe's shaman can separate the spirit of an elephant from their body, in effect driving the wild spirit out of an elephant and forcing the animal into submission. - The torture begins when the elephant is young, usually between three to six years old, beginning with the animal being forced into a small crate, with their front and back legs bound with ropes in order for their limbs to be stretched. Their handlers will then subject them to regular beatings with a variety of tools, including sharp metal objects and wooden sticks. Bull hooks are used to stab the animal's head, slash the skin, and tug the ears, and many of the elephants will have multiple tears in their ears from them ripping and pulling away from the bull hook. During the entire duration, the elephants are also starved and water is withheld from them. - Phajaan can last for several weeks, until the handlers are confident that the elephant is under their full control. The ordeal ends with the handler giving the elephant their first piece of food and drink of water, leading the elephant to regard this human as their “saviour”—someone they can trust. - Both mental and physical manipulation feature highly in this form of domestication. - Unfortunately, animal tourism is still extremely popular, with many tourists wishing to ride elephants. - Just as how “elephants never forget,” these animals will never forget the extreme torture and manipulation at the hands of the human species and will spend the rest of their lives in fear of us. - #elephants #elephantriding #Thailand #travelling https://www.instagram.com/p/BrsM7-Qj35P/?utm_source=ig_tumblr_share&igshid=fjj72z818jrb
