Moral Dilemma

This was a moral dilemma.

It was so, SO exciting to ride an elephant – bareback at that!!!! An experience I will never forget because it was a teenager dream Indiana Jones inspired adventure come true….

BUT….

Only if the elephants are treated ethically.

Most of the Tripadvisor feedback of elephant safaris in Thailand are of the exploitive, unethical treatment of elephants.

But it seemed Michael and I stumbled on a pretty good place, if our guide “Bob” is any indication.

But I’ve gotten ahead of myself…….

Baby Elephants

Riding Lulu was an unexpected adventure we stumbled upon as we drove up the six kilometer road along the Nakkerd Hills to visit the Big Buddha. We drove past an assortment of tourist attractions that deeply saddened us.  Mostly the baby elephant we first noticed, short chain around her leg, there for tourists viewing and profit where tourists buy bananas to feed her.

Then we turned a corner and came across an elephant safari.  There was a baby elephant at the main entrance, not chained, and wrangled by a local who seemed to care.  We pulled over and had a look.  The vibe was good.  We bought bananas and had fun with her!! We enquired about a tour – and we opted for the bareback tour, where we sit directly on the elephant! I sat on her neck!!!

As an employee led us around back, where the elephant stalls were, to wait for our turn, I found myself rationalizing this adventure by comparing this to Hatfield Farms  back home in Halifax where people go on trails rides.  People pay to ride horses along a trail led by a guide.  Same service is being offered here in Phuket, only instead of horses, people are riding elephants led by guides.  But there is always the debate no matter if the animal being ridden is a horse or an elephant, is the animal being treated ethically?

Just like a horseback rider sometimes uses a crop to manage a horse, I noted what the guides were using to manage the elephants.  And just like any tool used for animal management (like a leash for a dog) it is the human using it that matters.  I’ve ridden horses and have had to use a crop at times because the 1,100 pound creature between my legs is a lot bigger than me, has a personality and can be having a bad day!!  Never did I beat the horse or misuse to dominate, I just give a smack to remind we are a team, and that the horse isn’t running a solo show!  

I didn’t see the use of any electrical shock sticks used on the elephants that I’ve read about on Tripadvisor.  What I did see were a few of the guides with pickaroons.  One guide didn’t hold anything, he controlled the elephant with his foot!  Bob, our guided had only a bag of bananas.  He guided her by pulling, not in a mean way, on her ear to tell her what direction to go.

Bob & LuLu

Bob is from Northeastern Thailand, close to Cambodia.  Generations of his family raised elephants.  Elephants are his life.  I expressed my gratitude to Bob that he was kind to Lulu.  Bob (I’m sure his Thai parents, when he first popped into the world did not call him “Bob”!!)  explained that like people, there are nice elephants and not nice elephants and safety is always an issue.  That there has to be some control.  It is HOW that control is imparted.

Bob walked along with Lulu while holding his bag of bananas, with Michael and I on her back. We enjoyed a nice half-hour walk through the jungle as Lulu strolled at a lazy pace while we bribed her with bananas to keep moving her forward!!  Michael and I laughed and enjoyed both the company of Bob and Lulu’s lazy personalities as we plodded along the trail.

S, 🇹🇭

• 

• 

• 

• 

• 

• 

• 

• 

• 

• 

• 

• 

• 

•