During training, they may be mistreated, deprived of food, which over time leads to complete obedience out of fear.
During vacations in Thailand, elephant tours are very popular among tourists. They can be found literally at every turn. The low cost attracts travelers from all over the world, but most people do not think about what lies behind this popular attraction. Why should one avoid elephant tours?
Animal Cruelty
By purchasing a ticket for an elephant tour, tourists support a cruel business. Businessmen start training animals to carry people from a young age, often simply taking the calves from their mothers in the wild. Elephants are very intelligent, but it is impossible to train them without painful methods.
During training, they may be mistreated, deprived of food, which over time leads to complete obedience out of fear. Controlling an elephant during a ride is only possible with the use of sticks with iron hooks.
Danger to Tourists
Due to such poor treatment, elephants experience severe stress, making it difficult to predict the animal's behavior in various situations. They can suddenly become aggressive and uncontrollable, which can result in throwing a tourist off their back. In the best case, a traveler will end up with bruises.
What to Do If You Want to See Elephants
"This does not mean that a responsible tourist in Thailand cannot interact with elephants. The country has sanctuaries where animals are treated with care: they are not forced to carry people and are not burdened with heavy work. Instead, in such parks, you can feed an elephant, wash the giant, play, and even bathe with it," reports the portal "Tourism Insights."
Expert Opinion
"Whenever I visit Thailand, I always make a point to avoid tours where you can ride elephants. Sometimes businessmen offer them for almost free, but I believe that is not a reason to agree," said blogger Polina Aksenova.
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