Is it Really Worth the Entertainment?
On my recent adventure to Thailand, I discovered
something new yet absolutely disturbing… after finding out the truth behind the
scenes. Being an animal lover myself, I didn’t know how commercialized safaris
actually run the place until my boyfriend showed me a video about it. I was dumb
founded by the fact that I was literally paying to see animals in captivity
being abused.
By the time I found out about all this, we made all
the payments and it was too late to back out from safari tour. But when we got
there, it was an eye opener from the very beginning. Before I continue, the
place we went to is called ‘Island Safari’ in Phuket. (You could check it out
on tripadvisor and you’ll be shocked to see all those reviews.)
Elephant Trekking is one of the most famous tourist
attractions especially in Thailand and other Asian countries as well. What I found
out was how they torture these elephants when they were little infants during ‘phajaan’
also known as ‘the crush’ that consist of several stages. It’s a traditional
Asian way of breaking the elephant’s spirit and making them submissive towards
humans.
Throughout the phajaan, these elephants are kept in
small cages while being tied down and the trainers would beat and pierce them
using sharp objects like bull hooks. The elephant crushing usually lasts up to few
weeks and it changes the elephants completely, instilling fear in them. Elephants
in commercialized animal safaris, circus, riding, tricks, parades or even
temple work all go through some form of Phajaan.
Of course, we don’t we see it actually happening in
front of us. But if you’ve watched a video on phajaan or something similar, you
will notice those little sharp objects that the workers use on these precious
animals while doing tricks or during trekking. Beatings can continue regularly
throughout the elephants' life to remind them of their place. Some of these abused
animals eventually snap from the strain of relentless torture, with 5% of
captive elephants killing people!
When I was at ‘Island Safari’, I could easily notice
how the elephants had torn or holes on the ears or head area. During the
elephant show, I had a vivid sight of elephants being pierced with a small,
long, thin sharp object. The elephants were physically being controlled by the
humans and fear was all they knew.
Based on what I’ve seen at Island Safari, it was
purely an Asian crowd. They were clearly oblivious to the unawareness of the
animal abuse.
There, we also saw a monkey show that was devastating,
you could obviously see how the monkeys were afraid of the workers and they
would beat the monkeys if they didn’t listen to commands. Worst of all, they
would ask the monkeys to beg for money at the end of show!
While I am still doing more research on this, I found
that there are still places which keep elephants safe without any form of
abuse, Elephant Sanctuaries that don’t provide elephant trekking or show
experience a better life. There, they are treated with love and care and are
much more ethical.
You would be able to bath the elephants instead, which from
what I’ve heard, it’s truly an amazing feeling! Sanctuaries like these don’t keep
the animals on chains or tied down. Elephant Valley Thailand, Boon Lott’sElephant Sanctuary or Kindred Spirit Elephant Sanctuary are the places you
should go instead.
Please do some research first before going on tours
like this and supporting commercialized safaris would only give them more
reasons to continue hurting these gentle giants. As I am still learning more
about this form of animal abuse that is happening widely, I feel it’s important
to share it with everyone if you haven’t heard about this yourself. As much as
I hate myself for going there, I feel like now I could do something to help
spread awareness.
Find out more about protecting elephants or other
animals in the entertainment industry here!
I would like to dedicate this article to all the
animals in captivity that are being exploited physically and emotionally.
-ashwiini-
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