How to Know if the Elephant Sanctuary You Have Booked Really is “Ethical”

Image by Mittmac from Pixabay

Elephant trekking has always been a big tourist attraction in Southeast Asia. Nowadays though, many people are rightly concerned about the welfare of the animals. Consequently, there has been an increase in “ethical” elephant sanctuaries, but how can you tell just how ethical these so-called sanctuaries really are?

Here are some things to look out for if you want to be sure you are not contributing to the economy of elephant cruelty.

The Site Does Not Offer Elephant Rides

There is no ethical way to ride an elephant. Elephants must be “broken” for this practice and are ridden to the point of exhaustion. Elephant riding is unethical and should be avoided altogether if you are concerned about animal welfare.

Their Work Hours Are Limited

Elephants are intelligent animals and need the freedom to express themselves in their natural way. Being fed bananas or bathed for hours and hours a day is no good for the elephant. If you are concerned, ask the company how many hours the elephant engages in activities with tourists. If the number seems high, they are probably not as “ethical” as they are claiming to be.

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Bullhooks and Chains

While some restraints may be necessary at an elephant sanctuary, if the animals are chained and you catch sight of a bullhook, stay well away. These tools are used to whip the elephant into submission.

How Much Space Do They Have?

Many elephants in these so-called “sanctuaries” are kept in tiny pens, where they experience severe psychological distress. Ethical sanctuaries should provide the elephants with plenty of space and privacy so they can roam freely.

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Other than that, a quick Google search should give you some pointers in the right direction. Have a look at pages concerned with animal welfare to find out what elephant sanctuaries they do and don’t support.