Kicking one off the bucket list- Why we won’t be riding an elephant in Thailand.
Today I say goodbye to one of my dreams. A small dream but a dream none the less. Perhaps a dream flamed by the elephant stories in British inspired stories, such as the Secret Garden.
Today is the day that we have decided that we will not ride an elephant on our next adventure through Vietnam-Cambodia and Thailand. Despite the fact that for years I have jealously watched my friends and colleagues tramping around South East Asia on shag-n-tag style tours, bring home happy snaps of groups of people happily riding elephants.
In my day dreams I imagine myself connecting with these gentle giants. I know that we will be happy as I sit atop this massively beautiful 9ft, 4 ton beast. Before this wonderful moment we will court one another. Or maybe we reconnect like long lost friends? Either way the moment will be utterly divine. One of the rare movements in time that will be for ever ingrained in your mind. A tale to tell the grand kids. Sounds perfect right?
Once I took off my rose coloured glasses and started to look beyond my dreams I easily discovered, like most overtly beautiful things in Thailand, that there is a dark side to the elephant trade.
Sitting pretty on an elephant~ Melbourne Zoo, Victoria
Asian elephants are an endangered species. With less than 2000 left in the wild, their numbers are decreasing at a rapid rate. A combination of illegal poaching and habitat loss is contributing to the reduction of numbers.
By participating in the tourist trade, of elephant rides, we are directly contributing to their reduction of numbers and encouraging animal abuse. Yes that’s right a 15minute ride is directly contributing to animal abuse. How so I hear you ask?
Elephants are not naturally inclined to allow humans to ride them. In order to train an elephant you need to start off with a baby elephant. Than you need to break their spirit. The majestic beast is no more.
Remember that old wives tale- An Elephant Never Forgets? Well it’s true. Watch the tools that the ‘handlers’ use. You’ll see the memory of pain in the elephants eyes, maybe a slight step backwards. Whilst the handler may not need to use these tools whilst tourists are around, they have used these on the elephants from a young age. The elephants spirit has been broken.
Elephants are not designed to carry people. Their spines are not made to support humans. If you look at the elephants back it is more pyramid shaped than the rounded curves of a horse. Where as a saddle upon a horse evenly distribute your weight across the back, elephants don’t have this luxury. Kinda the same way that a zebra is made.
We made the decision to donate what we would have spent on an elephant ride to the Travel Blogging Calendar calendar 2014. We think you should too. Even if it is just to be super amazing and try to win a trip to Thailand. You can read more about how the elephants are treated and what some really special people are doing to help these majestic beasts.
We won’t judge you if you choose to partake in this horrific activity. Let us know below if you will ride an elephant when you next visit Thailand.
Me and my partner did ride an elephant last year. In short, we hated it and wished we had done more research on this hideous activity before jumping in! A year later we are back in South East Asia and planning a trip to the Elephant Sanctuary in Chiang Mai to see if it lives upto its name 🙂
Let us know how it goes. We won’t have enough time to get up north 🙁
Not sure how honest this is – but in Laos there appear to be a few places that are rescuing domesticated logging elephants. The Elephants are still in captivity but they are treated kindly and are controlled through traditional training techniques of word commands instead of with a stick or whip – http://www.elephant-park-project.org/page.asp?id=%7BA0C69F73-A9E8-44EB-95F1-AE61DD23A3C9%7D
You are amazing. I admire your decision to take a look at the truth behind elephant rides and opt out. I did, too. When you see the pain and suffering in the elephants’ eyes, their trainers sitting atop them, bull hooks in hand, it breaks your heart. It’s an extension of the circus, really, whether you are in Thailand, Cambodia, or anywhere else in the world. Kudos to you.
Oh Cristina it’s heart breaking. I have to admit it did take some research and help from the Travel Blogging Calendar to bring this right to my attention and to really understand the situation.
It may only be a small step we are taking but hey it’s a step in the right direction!
If we had time (and extra $$) we would be heading up to see some of the elephant sanctuaries.
Understand your dilemma.When I took my kids to Thailand we did do this and were not aware of what you have described.IT was many years ago.We did however witness some stupid show where elephants kicked footballs around etc and even at that young age (10 I think) our son objected to this and exclaimed that he didn’t think elephants should be made to play football.Now as a lovely young man of 24 he has been a vegetarian for many years….
Once I had the facts the dilema was removed. There are some things in life we can’t change. This is one that we perhaps can?
Yeah today I would never have done it..