Main Menu:

The elephant tourism industry is not for losers

We are aware that elephant cruelty causes them to suffer at tourist attractions. Our research has revealed that elephant keepers and trainers, known as mahouts, are also suffering.

A mahout is an elephant rider or trainer. A mahout is usually a boy who works in the family business and gets assigned an elephant in its early years of life. They are bonded throughout their lives.

This is Wikipedia’s definition for a mahout. It will resonate with many tourists who see mahouts as romantic figures with elephants. The reality is quite different in the elephant tourism industry.

New research by the Department of Sociology and Anthropology of Chiang Mai University, Thailand shows that the popular perception of mahouts as idealistic and idealistic is not the case.

Must Read: how to have fun with your dog

This is the first comprehensive study on the socioeconomic status of mahouts in Thailand.

Due to a growing industry in animal tourism and a demand for elephant entertainment at venues that have lots of visitors, mahouts are being replaced by regular labourers who lack the necessary skills and training.

This is not to say that mahouts do not exist in traditional terms – I saw them on a recent visit to Thailand. They are the exception and not the norm.

Many mahouts choose it because they can’t find other employment or think it will be easy.

While they may not be ‘bonded together throughout their lives,’ many elephants who are exploited for entertainment will have at least four mahouts over their lifetime.

Elephant tourism poses a risk to elephants and mahouts.

Elephants live in harsh conditions and are often forced to carry others on their backs. Mahouts have low salaries for high-risk jobs, many of which result in injuries, and little financial security.

Mahouts as well as tourists who interact with elephants while they are under their supervision, do not receive adequate training. This puts them and anyone else in danger of serious injury.

The travel industry must take seriously the danger of injury to humans, in addition to animal welfare concerns.

Never Miss: play shell games with your puppy

What motivated us to do this research?

Our research on elephant tourism has focused largely on the unfavorable living conditions that elephants have to endure every day in order to entertain tourists.

However, our research into wildlife entertainment venues in Thailand revealed that the role of mahouts was unclear and out-of-date. We now have a better understanding of the lives of elephant mahouts.

Also Read: hunting island state park

Elephants and humans are better off with higher-welfare

The welfare of elephants in captivity is a key concern for mahouts. They are also an integral part of our efforts to make elephant-friendly entertainment venues.

Contrary to what is happening in Thailand’s entertainment and riding camps, elephant-friendly venues have higher welfare and are more beneficial for both elephants and humans. They encourage venue owners and mahouts to care for elephants as well.

Our study revealed that 65% of mahouts use a bull-hook, or a stick to control their elephants at riding or entertainment camps.

These tools and control are not necessary at truly-elephant friendly locations, except in emergency situations. Tourists are not allowed to come into direct contact with elephants in higher welfare areas. They can instead watch the elephants freely roaming, grazing, covering themselves in mud, and socializing.

Most Popular: five things wish i had known before i got a puppy

These mahouts also have training in the management of elephants without resorting to force.

This has been demonstrated at elephant-friendly Thai venues such as Elephant Valley Thailand, Mahouts Elephant Foundation(MEF), and Boon Lott’s Elephant Sanctuary (BLES). They are doing amazing things for elephants captives, as shown in our Taken for a Ride report.

Visitors can observe elephants at elephant-friendly locations from a safe distance, and then quietly follow them.

The bottom line is that elephants are happier and safer when they’re not in direct touch with tourists. This also makes it safer for mahouts, who don’t have to resort to cruel methods of controlling them.

An elephant can only truly be free in the wild. However, in order to make the lives of the more than 3,000 elephants in Asia’s tourism industry better, we must see more elephant-friendly attractions and less cruel ones.

Latest

10 Tips Every New Puppy Owner Should Know

Adopting a new puppy is an exciting adventure filled...

5 Ways To Spoil Your Cat

The ways you can spoil your cat are nearly...

Some Facts About Rabbits That You May Not Be Educated

Bunnies can be 'binky when they are happy' A rabbit...

Adopting a Shelter Dog: 10 Tips for a Successful Adoption

10 Tips for a Successful Adoption Dogs are amazing animals....

Stay in touch:

1,000FansLike
1,000FollowersFollow
1,000FollowersFollow

Newsletter

Don't miss

The negative impact of the documentary Blackfish

Laure Boissat was the one who created our Animal...

Preventing problems by bringing a new cat home

Congratulations! You've made the decision to adopt a cat. Consider...

What are the advantages of using cages for your dog?

The dogs naturally seek shelter in which they feel...

These are some important tips for animal care

Are you a pet owner or thinking of getting...

Are lazy, filthy pigs the answer? You might be wrong.

Pigs are often associated negatively with terms like 'filthy,...
spot_imgspot_img

Related Articles

The Dangers of Leaving Your Pet in a Hot Car: A Wake-Up Call for Pet Owners

We've all been there. You're running errands, and you think, "I'll just be a minute." But what if that minute turns into ten or...

10 Tips Every New Puppy Owner Should Know

Adopting a new puppy is an exciting adventure filled with countless moments of joy, love, and the forging of a unique bond. However, it...

Are You Searching For Animal Control In Barrie? Look No Further!

Are You Searching For Animal Control In Barrie? Look No Further! One of the most essential concerns for those searching for wildlife control businesses in...

Adopting a Shelter Dog: 10 Tips for a Successful Adoption

10 Tips for a Successful Adoption Dogs are amazing animals. They have the ability and desire for deep, loving relationships with people. You are giving...

Dog Adoption Tips

Dog Adoption Tips Dog Adoption can be a wonderful way to give shelter or rescue animals a loving, new home. Although people may have the...

Some Facts About Rabbits That You May Not Be Educated

Bunnies can be 'binky when they are happy' A rabbit binkying will be obvious by the happy hop in and twist of his Facts About...

Rabbit Facts

Rabbit Facts They can live up to 12 years, sometimes even longer. Ever wonder how long rabbits can live? Many rabbits live for five years. They...

Cats deserve a comfortable life at home

Cats deserve a comfortable life at home You and your Cats deserve may share a cottage or caravan, an apartment, a share-house, duplexes, houses, or...

Every cat deserves a home life

Every cat deserves a home life Are you and your cat deserves living together in a house, cottage, caravan, or apartment? There are many practical...
error: Content is protected !!