“Before I knew better, I rode an elephant...”
Everyone who visits Thailand wants to ride an elephant. However, there’s a dark side to elephant tourism of which many people aren’t aware. For example, an elephant’s spine cannot support the weight of people. Carrying people on their backs all day leads to permanent spinal injuries and the chairplaced on their backs causes rubbing and blisters which can become infected.
Fortunately, times and attitudes are changing. If you are heading to Thailand and meeting with elephants is on your bucket list, you don’t have to scratch it off. Do your
research and be selective.“No Saddle Programs” are starting in Thailand, allowing you to interact with the gentle giants in
a meaningful and caring way. This really is the right way to go for an unforgettable, up-close, elephant experience, without riding them.
If you would rather walk beside an elephant than ride on top of one, Elephant Nature Park-Chiang Mai is one of the greatest places to go. Home to 60 rescued elephants who are now free to roam, eat and play to their hearts’content. They can wander down to the river for a splash or a roll in the mud or join in at feeding time at the visitors’ platform. Each elephant is free to choose its own family group and can have as much or, as little human interaction as it chooses.
ELEPHANT NATURE PARK :
1 Rachamankha Road. Phrasing. Chiang Mai.
Tel 053-272 855
www.elephantnaturepark.org
