Hi,
Suman. Chanda. Bijli. Dumbo. Karen. Lammie. Tikiiri. Nosey. Becky. Asha. Anne. Raju.
These are just some of the elephants that have been or are still abused, held captive and exploited. Elephants are frequently put through phajaan, a process which is supposed to break an elephant's spirit for riding by beating them and isolating them, so that "owners" can make money through tourists paying to ride these Beauties of Nature. Tourists smile and may have photos taken of them on top of elephants, enjoying themselves. It is a dream for some people to ride an elephant. What these people hopefully don't know is that these elephants are beaten and isolated, exploited and suffering and in distress through the beating, captivity, isolation and being forced to carry tourists up and down the streets in the heat of these countries, their feet being burned through having to walk up and down the hot streets. To cruelly exploit another animal unnecessarily just for money and "fun" is UNNACCEPTABLE. The best places for elephants are in the wild and in proper, good sanctuaries that don't allow riding or any other cruelty/exploitation of these Beauties of Nature, where they will be looked after properly, loved and treated with kindness, compassion, love and respect, and allowed to live lives that are as close to natural as possible. I would even say that even many zoos aren't justified, unless they put animal wellbeing, care, rescue and conservation above profits. Keeping any animal/s in captivity just so that they can exploit them for money is absolutely WRONG.
Also, even if it is a "sanctuary" that offers rides and painting of elephants, please don't take it. The only way that we humans can get elephants to accept being ridden is through beating and isolation. No matter how "good" a place may seem to be, if they offer elephant rides or any other types of exploitation of any animal/s, PLEASE DON'T GO!!
Thank you to the moon and back.
Best Wishes to all,
Rory.
Have the best day and night ever!
