To see elephants - Goa, Sri Lanka or Thailand?

_Andy_

Excellent article about which animal places NOT to go in Chiang Mai:

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/diana-edelman/what-animal-attractions-t_b_2407616.html

travelgran

Africa's not for good for the rides though!

_Andy_

And rides aren't good for the elephants.

Kalama

If you do go to South East Asia, please don't go anywhere that offers elephant rides or any other 'novelties'. The things they do to the elephants are horrendous, and it is very bad for the elephants to be ridden in the way most of these places offer. If you go to the north of Thailand, then this place is amazing:

http://www.elephantnaturepark.org/

We went and it was one of the best things I have ever done - a truly moving experience.

I would also seriously recommend considering Kenya. You could have a beach holiday somewhere like Diani, combined with safaris in Tsavo or Amboseli. Nothing beats seeing herds of elephants in their natural surroundings. Watching huge family groups walk down off Kili in the morning mists is an experience that can't really be put into words.

photome

_Andy_ wrote: »

And rides aren't good for the elephants.

Why not?

I dont mean the way they may or may not be treated/kept

Kalama

photome wrote: »

Why not?

I dont mean the way they may or may not be treated/kept

The way they are treated (to get them into a state where they can be ridden) is a big part of it - google Phajaan. Going to the places that offer elephant riding perpetuates this sort of treatment; as long as there is a market for it then they will continue to break elephants to allow them to be ridden (I think there is a tendency to forget that these are fierce wild animals - don't be fooled that they are naturally placid!).

I have spent quite a lot of time at 'proper' elephant sanctuaries in both Asia and Africa, and the only circumstances in which an unbroken elephant can be ridden is by their human 'companion' This is someone who spends their life with the elephant, sleeps in the same space etc etc. They ride them extremely rarely, and they can only do so as they have formed an intense bond with the elephant (without the use of violence). This is only is Asia - I have never seen an elephant ridden in Africa.

Elephants aren't biologically designed to carry things on their backs. These are not beasts of burden, their spines are not strong. They are not docile creatures - they were never used by indigenous populations in the way horses or cattle were, so they have not evolved in a manner that has left them with the physicality required to carry things on their backs.

This is why, when you go anywhere decent and witness the rare sight of an elephant being ridden by its 'companion', they will be sat on the back of the neck, above the shoulder blades. It is the only part of the body strong enough to carry anything, and even then it is only the weight of one person without any sort of 'saddle' contraption.

The weight of the chair (commonly seen at these tourist attractions), plus people, is hugely painful and damaging to the elephants and is the main reason why they have to break elephants before they can be ridden - so the elephant submits to the pain.

_Andy_

photome wrote: »

Why not?

I dont mean the way they may or may not be treated/kept

Would you want another animal forcing you to do stuff?

_Andy_

http://journals.worldnomads.com/responsible-travel/story/81053/Thailand/Why-Elephant-Riding-Should-Be-Removed-from-Your-Bucket-List

Bob_the_Saver

_Andy_ wrote: »

Would you want another animal forcing you to do stuff?

Married men need not answer this question !

joaniemerc

Thank you so much, Everyone for your posts - really helpful.

We have been to Kenya and safari'ed so have seen elephants in the wild.

Sri Lanka is looking like best option for us but will also price up Thailand.

Thanks again:T