How To Have an Ethical Elephant Experience in Thailand

An ethical elephant experience prioritizes elephants' well-being, health, and natural behaviors. Here are some key characteristics of an ethical elephant encounter:

• No riding or bathing: Ethical experiences do not involve elephant riding or, contrary to what you might believe, bathing. Riding causes stress to the elephants and may involve harmful practices such as using sharp hooks or chains. Being bathed by humans, on the other hand, is an unnatural activity, for which elephants have been cruelly “trained” to participate in. Instead, ethical experiences will allow you to observe—not interact physically with—elephants in their natural habitat, in order to learn about their behavior and conservation efforts.
• No tricks or performances: Ethical encounters avoid forcing elephants to perform tricks or engage in unnatural behaviors for entertainment. These performances often involve coercion and harsh training, contributing to the elephants’ distress.
• Sanctuaries vs. camps: Look for genuine sanctuaries rather than tourist camps that claim to be ethical. Sanctuaries prioritize the well-being of elephants, providing ample space, proper nutrition, veterinary care, and opportunities for social interactions.
• Conservation and education: Ethical experiences usually include educational components that raise awareness about the importance of elephant conservation and protection.

When deciding on an elephant experience in Thailand, there are a few other things to consider:

• Chain-free enclosures: Elephants should have enough space to roam freely without being continuously chained. Ethical sanctuaries allow elephants to move around naturally and without restrictions, so look out for those elements before booking.
• Positive reinforcement: Ensure positive reinforcement training methods are used. For example, elephants should be rewarded for their good behavior instead of punished for “disobedience.”
• Natural behavior: Ethical elephant experiences allow the animals to engage in natural behaviors including bathing themselves, foraging, and socializing.
• Group dynamics: Elephants are social animals and should be able to interact with other elephants. Look for tours that allow elephants to live in groups or herds.

Before booking an elephant tour, research the company's reputation and practices. Check for reviews, certifications, and affiliations with reputable organizations such as World Animal Protection or the Global Federation of Animal Sanctuaries. Additionally, don't hesitate to inquire about the tour's treatment of elephants, their living conditions, and the activities involved. Ethical tour operators will be transparent and open to answering your questions, while public reviews can help you decide whether the experience is truly ethical or not.

If you have enough time, consider visiting the facility beforehand or watching the elephants from a distance. Are they relaxed and exhibiting natural behaviors, or do they seem stressed and anxious? Additionally, tours with limited group sizes minimize the impact on the elephants and ensure a more intimate and respectful experience.

Several reputable elephant sanctuaries in Thailand are known for their ethical practices and commitment to wildlife conservation. Some of these include:

• Boon Lott's Elephant Sanctuary (Sukhothai): This sanctuary provides a safe and caring environment for rescued elephants to live their lives with dignity. Many of the elephants who reside at BLES have been rescued from their past lives as logging elephants or trekking elephants at tourist camps.
• Wildlife Friends Foundation Thailand (Petchaburi): While not solely an elephant sanctuary, Wildlife Friends Foundation is considered Asia’s first completely chain-free elephant sanctuary. The organization rescues and rehabilitates elephants, among other animals, aiming to release them back into the wild when possible.
• Phuket Elephant Sanctuary (Phuket): Not to be confused with the Elephant Jungle Sanctuary Phuket, which allows unethical practices, Phuket Elephant Sanctuary on the east of the island, is endorsed by National Geographic and World Animal Protection. Here, you can observe sick, injured, and old rescue elephants in their natural habitat from atop a canopy walkway.
• Mahouts Elephant Foundation (Northern Thailand): A foundation that reintroduces old and infirm elephants to protected forests on the Thailand-Myanmar border, Mahouts elephants roam free and are not subject to unnatural behaviors. While in the area, you can also explore coffee plantations and rice fields.
• Burm and Emily’s Elephant Sanctuary (Maechaem): Although contact with the elephants was previously allowed at this elephant sanctuary, it now takes a strict hand’s off, no-touch approach to learning about and experiencing these glorious animals in their natural habitat.

Editor's note: Travel to Myanmar is not recommended due to serious safety risks in this area. Please follow your government's guidance and travel advisories.