For centuries, humans and elephants have been connected. We continue to be amazed by these massive animals that have captured our hearts and imaginations. Both the African and Asian elephants are endangered, and connecting with them inspires humans to continue to fight to save them.
Thailand’s history with the Asian elephant began with logging. Elephants would be used to haul logs out of the forest, and generations of mahouts made a living for their families in this manner. When logging with elephants was banned in 1989, thousands of elephants and mahouts were suddenly unemployed. This lead to a turn to tourism. This practice has not been without controversy, and images of abused and injured elephants show the dark side of the industry. Many visitors to Thailand are told by friends "do not ride elephants." It is a valid concern, however there are ethical and humane organizations that work with elephants.
One such organization is The Golden Triangle Asian Elephant Foundation (GTAEF.) Located at and supported by the Anantara Golden Triangle and Four Seasons Tented Camp Golden Triangle near Chang Rai, they offer elephant encounters that are done safely for humans and elephants alike. Mahouts are provided with insurance for their families and elephants. Mahouts’ aspirations for a decent standard of living caused GTAEF set about creating circumstances where they could provide this for the mahouts and their families. By showing that an elephant camp can amply provide their mahouts’ financial and material needs, ensuring they live comfortably, they believe we can encourage other mahouts to demand this of any facility that chooses to keep elephants. The elephants themselves "work" short periods with multiple breaks and reside in forested areas instead of cities and beaches. GTAEF lists several aims on their website.
To help elephants that cannot help themselves; to assist those that find themselves, through abuse or circumstance, unable to provide and maintain an income for themselves, their mahouts and their families.
• Through our working elephants, we aim to show that it is possible for elephants and mahouts to earn a living while maintaining world class standards of care and not resorting to dangerous or demeaning work such as street begging, illegal logging or inappropriate elephant shows.
• To provide a controllable and safe environment for publishing research scientists and veterinarians to perform ethical and non-invasive research into Asian elephants, their behavior and intelligence, with the goal of learning how to better look after them in captivity and protect them in the wild.
• To work with conservationists to protect those elephants still living wild in Thailand and to develop projects that allow them to live comfortably in the forests. We also work with the human communities surrounding the elephant territory to minimize the ill will felt by those whose livelihoods are compromised by Human Elephant Conflict.
It was evident in talking with the Anantara Golden Triangle Elephant Resort staff – including the elephant manager and volunteers – how important the care of the elephants was. They do not buy elephants, instead renting them which reduces the impact on wild populations. The elephants live in a multi-acre forest with rivers to bathe in and opportunities to roam. While in an ideal world the elephants would be wild, the fact remains that there are thousands of elephants in Asia that are part of the culture and cannot be returned to the disappearing wilderness.
Our experience with the elephants began early in the morning, where we joined the mahouts in the elephant’s morning routine. Soon we were taught how to climb onto the elephants – no platforms or multiple people per elephant – and shown some of the commands used to guide the elephants. It was explained and demonstrated how the elephant hooks are used not as punishment but as a guide.
Riding an elephant is a difficult experience to describe. As I sat just behind the head of my elephant for the experience, E-wong, I could feel the muscles move beneath me with every step. Towering above the ground it can be disorienting and take a bit to adjust to the movement. Once comfortable, the experience of the sights and sounds of the jungle and the massive elephant beneath you is both relaxing and exhilarating.
When we arrived at our destination, we disembarked our rides and watched the mahout’s feed and wash the elephants. Volunteers and mahouts’ told us the history of some of the elephants and the work that GTAEF does. In addition to the elephants, the Mahouts’ families make silk and weave scarves and make other items to sell.
All too soon, we once again climbed upon the elephants and walked to the hotel lobby. Our group had a hard time saying goodbye as we quickly had become attached to the animals. Thailand has many amazing experiences but our few hours with the elephants in Chang Rai was a standout.
If you are heading to Thailand and want to experience elephants, the important thing is to ask questions. How many hours do the elephants work? What environment are they kept in? With thorough research you can discover the right organizations and also have the once in a lifetime experience of walking with giants.
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Contributor Jason Clevett |
Locale Phuket | Thailand |
Topic Travel |
Photo Gallery Phuket |Thailand |Travel |
Tourism Thailand
http://www.tourismthailand.org
The Golden Triangle Asian Elephant Foundation
http://www.helpingelephants.org