To see elephants - Goa, Sri Lanka or Thailand?

jetsetterjoe

Bob_the_Saver wrote: »

Married men need not answer this question !

Utterly brilliant.

photome

Kalama wrote: »

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.

Thanks for the reply, much better thought out than Andys.

I have onlr ridden an elephant once in Sri lanka and that was sitting around its neck not on a chair, it was a great experience and if I hadnt done it, it wouldnt have made any difference to the lephant in question, but i take your point

pipmoss

I can recommend Malaysia here http://www.journeymalaysia.com/MR_ecenter.htm

We had a fantastic experience not only riding but washing and bathing with orphaned Elephants.

it is certainly an eye opener.

thelawnet

You can try Tangkahan, North Sumatra

http://www.sumatra-indonesia.com/tangkahan.htm

There are orangutans nearby also.

_Andy_

thelawnet wrote: »

You can try Tangkahan, North Sumatra

http://www.sumatra-indonesia.com/tangkahan.htm

There are orangutans nearby also.

Yeah that sounds just great for the elephants

http://emilymeetsworld.com/2012/06/14/mud-sweat-and-tears-in-tangkahan/

" Unfortunately, my hopes were dashed within minutes as I realised the handlers frequently – and sometimes for no reason – hit the poor creatures on the top of their heads and in their rear with metal spikes “so that they know who’s boss”. The elephants were deeply distressed and when they were not being hurt they simply spent their day tied-up inside an appallingly small enclosure."

ewhiting10

Glad to be of assistance! North Sumatra is amazing and I did a lovely rainforest trek in tangkahan but please do yourself a favour and see these amazing animals in the wild, not chained to a tree. By supporting these activities you are directly financing animal cruelty and should be ashamed. By all means visit these beautiful countries and support the local communities but take your conscience with you!
(emilymeetsworld)
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