Group finds Asia’s performing elephants are treated harshly

CHAINED day and night, kept in dark sheds and tied up on concrete flooring — welcome behind the scenes at elephant venues across Asia.

CHAINED day and night, inadequate diets and unsatisfactory veterinary care — welcome behind the scenes of elephant venues across Asia.

An animal protection group wants tourists to know that the elephant you are thinking about riding during your vacation in Thailand is probably a miserable victim of abuse.

London-based World Animal Protection surveyed almost 3,000 elephants working at entertainment venues in six Asian nations and found three out of four were living in poor and unacceptable conditions.

It cited being chained day and night when not working, inadequate diets and unsatisfactory veterinary care, as well as the harsh training the elephants undergo, “that breaks their spirits and makes them submissive enough to give rides and perform.”

The group wants tourists to be aware and counsels tour agencies to shun abusive venues, among other measures. It says it has already convinced more than 160 travel companies to stop sales and promotion of venues offering elephant rides and shows.

Love elephants? Hate cruelty? In just two days, we’re announcing a new way you can help elephants suffering in tourism #UniteForTheHerd pic.twitter.com/CCsErXZgl7

— Animal Protection (@MoveTheWorld) July 4, 2017

Behind the scenes at an elephant venue in India, which offers tourists rides. The elephants are kept in dark sheds and tied up on concrete flooring. Picture: World Animal Protection

An elephant kept on a chain — likely used for rides and / or performances for tourists. Venue and country to be confirmed. Picture: World Animal Protection

The report the group released Thursday is part of a broader campaign by World Animal Protection, which has also sought to expose the inhumane situations of other animals used for entertainment purposes, including tigers, macaques and bears.

“If you can ride, hug or interact with wild animals, chances are there’s cruelty involved,” said Dr. Jan Schmidt-Burbach, WAP’s global wildlife and veterinary adviser and author of the elephant report.

Wildlife tourist attractions, including wildlife entertainment, have become increasing popular and hence profitable, meaning the industry is likely to expand, the report warned.

“The cruel trend of elephants used for rides and shows is growing,” said Schmidt-Burbach.

“We want tourists to know that many of these elephants are taken from their mothers as babies, forced to endure harsh training and suffer poor living conditions throughout their life.”

This elephant is restrained by very short chains, greatly limiting their movement and space at a tourism venue in Thailand. Picture: World Animal Protection

The survey found only 194 elephants at 13 venues to be living in conditions WAP judged acceptable, the major criteria being that the animals do not perform and are not ridden by people.

“The elephants walked free during most of the day, were able to socialise with other elephants and were fed on natural vegetation at most of these venues,” the report said.

“Tourists visiting these venues would observe elephants behaving naturally and direct interaction between visitors and elephants was usually prohibited or limited.”

This young elephant is chained by the roadside, for tourists to stop off and take selfies, and was displaying stereotypical behaviour. Picture: World Animal Protection

A bull hook rests on an elephant’s trunk; bull hooks are used to control the animal’s movements and behaviour. Picture: World Animal Protection

The report surveyed elephants in Thailand, Laos, Cambodia, Nepal, Sri Lanka and India, but identified Thailand as the home of three-quarters of all elephants kept in captivity for entertainment purposes.

Thailand’s first animal cruelty law took effect in December 2015, carrying up to two years in prison for torturing animals. But elephants are not covered by that law, nor by a separate one on wild animals.

“Elephants used in shows are considered a means of transportation” said Thiradech Palasuwan, an officer of the Thai government’s Wildlife Conservative Office.

“They belong to elephant camps and are not under the supervision of the department. Elephant camps do not need permission to use elephants for shows. This is an area where there are no regulations yet.”

Elephants used for entertainment at a venue in Thailand. Picture: World Animal Protection

Elephants used for entertainment at a venue in Thailand. Picture: World Animal Protection

The approach is an apparent legacy of what used to be the main work of elephants in captivity, to haul timber.

Some elephant lovers remain optimistic.

Soraida Salwala, founder and secretary-general of Friends of the Asian Elephant Foundation, said the known number of cases of mistreated elephants has been declining, particularly this year.

“I want Thais and foreigners to be aware that we (the government and private agencies) are working on improving the welfare of elephants,” she said.

Elephants set off with tourists for a ride in Thailand. World Animal Protection launched a campaign to urge tourists to act responsibly on holiday, where local wildlife can be exploited for entertainment. Picture: World Animal Protection