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Unethical Practices in Elephant Tourism<\/h2>\n
Although some of these elephant camps have closed, with one quick google search even on things to do in Phuket, it is clear that there are still many to choose from. Sadly, these camp owners are also getting smart. They now use the words elephant conservation and elephant sanctuary in many of their marketing materials, misleading tourists.<\/p>\n
Weddings and other events have also been part of the mistreatment of elephants with many hotels and event planners offering the \u201cbaby elephant experience.\u201d Most of the time the baby elephant is put on the back of a pickup truck and driven to the location and then spends time being a sideshow, with guests having their picture taken with them and being made to perform various so-called tricks.<\/p>\n
One such episode hit the international media when The Telegraph (UK) picked up on a story from Nikki Beach Phuket. Pictures of a baby elephant carrying a performer who was serving Champagne and then being ridden by drunk tourists were shared on social media. Luckily many of the hotels and resorts have outlawed the experience, but sadly there are some that still do offer this service.<\/p>\n
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The Elephant Whisperer & Saviour<\/h2>\n
Sangduen \u201cLek\u201d Chailert, Elephant Whisperer and founder of the Save Elephant Foundation, has devoted her life to rescuing and rehabilitating working elephants. Bringing ethics into elephant tourism, she established the Elephant Nature Park in Chiang Mai to international acclaim in 1996. More recently, Lek has also co-founded similar parks in Phuket<\/strong><\/a> and Koh Samui<\/a><\/strong>. These ethical elephant sanctuaries make a fascinating and educational day out.<\/p>\n
The mission of the Phuket Elephant Sanctuary<\/a> and Samui Elephant Sanctuary<\/a> is to meet the highest standards in animal welfare. They also aim to educate elephant camp owners and tourists on how to treat and respect the majestic elephant – Thailand\u2019s national symbol.<\/p>\n
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