Support Elephant Nature Parks in Thailand

Elephant nature parks and sanctuaries are becoming popular and self-sustaining. This is due to the heightened awareness of tourists to the tragic plight of elephants in Thailand. 

For many years, the role of captive elephants in Thailand was either working in the logging industry or entertaining tourists. Neither of these jobs was particularly pleasant for the elephant as raising an elephant in captivity begins with breaking the wills and spirits of babies and young elephants. 

The Plight of Thailand’s Elephants

This ordeal, called Phajaan, subjected them to cruelty in the form of confining them to small crates where they could scarcely move. Starvation was also used as well as beatings and other forms of torture. This torture could last for weeks until the elephants submitted to the control of the handlers.

But as the logging industry was outlawed many years ago, it left many elephant owners unable or unwilling to care for their elephants. And many of the animals were too old or unused to people to successfully make the transition into working in the tourism industry. 

Working in the tourism industry forced its own miseries on the elephants. Very often, the elephants were used to take tourists on elephant-trekking tours. This entailed harnessing a saddle that could hold two or more people on the elephant’s back. 

Although elephants are powerful animals, their backs were not designed to carry loads. The elephants that carried people for years on end ended up suffering from spinal problems as well as other abuses at the hands of their owners. They often weren’t fed properly in the off-season when the tourist trade fell off. As a result, many elephants suffered from malnutrition as well as back problems. 

Elephant Nature Parks to the Rescue

The eco-tourism trend began to spread around the world, and people became more aware and less tolerant of the mistreatment of animals. Some compassionate people set up elephant nature parks and sanctuaries for ageing and abused elephants.

These proved to be big hits with tour groups as they represented an alternative to the abuse that elephants have traditionally had to endure for the pleasure of tourists. 

The concept was simple but expensive to implement. Obtain a large piece of property, preferably with a river flowing through it. Hire trained veterinarians and handlers, provide enough food sources and then rescue elephants in need from around the country and provide them with a safe place to live out their lives in peace.

But as the elephant nature parks attracted more and more responsible tourists, they began to be able to sustain themselves. This is perhaps the best news of all. It’s also the reason why everyone should support these elephant nature parks and sanctuaries in Thailand by donating to them or visiting them. 

The heightened awareness of tourists has meant that these parks and sanctuaries are slowly replacing the abusive elephant rides and tricks that elephants had to perform in the past. At these new alternative homes, all the elephant has to do is what comes naturally.