As intelligent creatures, elephants have long captured the human imagination. Their gentle nature, impressive size, and emotional depth have made them a favorite among wildlife enthusiasts and tourists alike. However, the reality behind elephant tourism, particularly in Asia, is far from the image many visitors expect. In this blog post, we’ll delve into the top seven cruel practices inflicted on Asian elephants in the name of tourism and entertainment, shedding light on an industry that often prioritizes profit over animal welfare.
1. The Crushing Truth of “Phajaan”
Perhaps the most horrific practice in elephant tourism is the ritual known as “phajaan” or “the crush.” This process is designed to break the spirit of young elephants and make them submissive to human handlers. Typically occurring when elephants are between 3 and 6 years old, phajaan begins by separating baby elephants from their mothers – a traumatic experience..
The young elephants are then confined to small enclosures where they have little room to move. For weeks, they are subjected to physical abuse, sleep deprivation, and starvation. Handlers use bull hooks, chains, and other tools to inflict pain and instill fear. The main goal is to “crush” the elephant’s wild spirit, leaving them easier to train for tourist activities.
This cruel practice often results in lasting physical and psychological damage. Many elephants never fully recover from the trauma of phajaan, carrying emotional scars for the rest of their lives. Despite growing awareness of this issue, the practice continues in many parts of Southeast Asia, hidden from the eyes of unsuspecting tourists.
2. Unnatural and Harmful Training Methods
Even after the initial “breaking” process, the training methods used on elephants in the tourism industry are often cruel and unnatural. Positive reinforcement techniques, which have been proven incredibly effective AND humane for elephant management in legitimate sanctuaries, are rarely used in tourist camps.
Instead, handlers rely on negative reinforcement and punishment to control… Bull hooks – which are sharp metal tools used to prod sensitive areas of the elephant’s body – are a common sight. These tools usually cause pain, scarring, and infections when used too aggressively.
Elephants are usually forced to perform unnatural behaviors for tourists, such as painting, giving rides, showers, and even massages! These tricks require intensive and often hurtful training sessions. They are often punished for not performing well enough, continuing the cycle of fear and submission.
3. Inadequate Living Conditions
In their natural habitat, Asian elephants roam vast territories, walking up to 50 kilometers a day. They live in complex social groups, forage for a variety of foods, and spend much of their time in water and mud to keep cool and protect their skin. However, the reality in the tourism industry is starkly different.
Captive elephants are most often found in small, barren enclosures with concrete floors that damage their feet and joints. Many are chained for long periods (Sometimes days or weeks at a time), sometimes with chains so short they can’t even lift a the bound leg off the ground. This lack of exercise and natural behavior leads to numerous health problems, including foot infections, arthritis, and psychological distress.
The elephants’ diet in captivity are almost always inadequate, lacking the variety and nutrition they would get in the wild. Many tourist camps feed their elephants primarily on bananas or sugarcane, without any supplements to their keep them healthy – foods that are too high in sugar and can lead to dental problems and obesity.
4. Overwork and Exhaustion
In busy tourist areas, elephants are forced to work long hours without rest. Elephant rides, a popular tourist activity, can be particularly grueling. An elephant’s back is not designed to carry weight for extended periods, and doing so can cause serious spinal injuries.
During peak tourist seasons, some elephants are made to carry tourists for 8-10 hours a day, often in scorching heat without sufficient water or shade. This overwork leads to exhaustion, dehydration, and long-term health issues. Many elephants develop foot problems from walking on hard, unnatural surfaces for hours on end.
The constant interaction with tourists also denies elephants their natural cycles of rest and social interaction. In the wild, elephants spend much of their day foraging, bathing, and engaging in social behaviors with their herd. In captivity, these natural behaviors are often sacrificed for the sake of tourist entertainment.
5. Separation of Mothers and Calves
One of the most heartbreaking aspects of the elephant tourism industry is the early separation of mother elephants from their calves. In the wild, elephant calves stay with their mothers for up to 16 years, learning crucial survival skills and forming strong emotional bonds.
Calves are often taken from their mothers at a very young age to begin training. This separation is traumatic for both mother and calf, causing intense emotional distress. Some mother elephants have been known to actually cry for days after their babies are taken away.
The young calves, deprived of their mother’s milk and care, suffer from malnutrition and stunted growth. They miss out on critical social learning experiences that are essential for their development. This early separation can lead to behavioral problems and difficulty integrating with other elephants later in life
6. Exploitation in Entertainment Shows
While elephant rides are a well-known tourist activity, many visitors are also drawn to elephant shows. These performances often feature elephants engaging in unnatural behaviors like standing on their hind legs, balancing on small platforms, or even “playing” musical instruments.
What many tourists don’t realize is the cruel training required to make elephants perform these tricks. The animals are often subjected to harsh punishment during training sessions, including being struck with bull hooks or other instruments when they fail to perform correctly.
These shows not only cause physical harm to the elephants but also demean these intelligent, sensitive creatures by reducing them to circus performers. The loud music, crowds, and unnatural behaviors can cause significant stress to the elephants, leading to health problems and aberrant behaviors.
7. Lack of Proper Veterinary Care
Despite the hard work demanded of them, many elephants in the tourism industry do not receive adequate veterinary care. Proper healthcare for elephants is expensive and requires specialized knowledge, which many tourist camps either cannot afford or choose not to prioritize.
As a result, elephants often suffer from untreated injuries, infections, and chronic health conditions. Foot problems are particularly common due to standing on hard surfaces and lack of exercise. These can lead to painful abscesses and arthritis if left untreated.
Mental health issues are also a significant concern. Many captive elephants exhibit stereotypic behaviors – repetitive, purposeless actions that are a sign of psychological distress. These can include swaying back and forth, head bobbing, or pacing. Despite being clear indicators of poor welfare, these behaviors are often ignored or misinterpreted as “dancing” for tourists.
A Call for Responsible Tourism
The plight of Asian elephants in the tourism industry is a complex issue with no easy solutions. While many people who participate in elephant tourism do so out of a genuine love for these animals, they are often unaware of the cruelty that occurs behind the scenes.
As travelers and animal lovers, we have a responsibility to educate ourselves and make ethical choices. Instead of supporting exploitative elephant camps, consider visiting legitimate sanctuaries that prioritize elephant welfare. These facilities allow elephants to live in more natural conditions and do not force them to perform or give rides.
Remember, true conservation and animal welfare should always prioritize the needs of the animals over the desires of tourists. By making informed choices and spreading awareness, we can work towards a future where elephants are respected and protected, not exploited for entertainment.
Let’s strive to appreciate these magnificent creatures in ways that don’t compromise their wellbeing. After all, the most beautiful sight is an elephant living freely and naturally, unburdened by the demands of human entertainment.
If you’d like to visit a truly ethical sanctuary, where the elephants get to dictate their every day life, consider booking a tour at Phangan Elephant Sanctuary on the isle of Koh Phangan, Thailand!