Elephantsworld in Kanchaniburi
 

I just decided to go to SEA in Novenber with my younger son. He wanted to see an "ethical" elephant sanctuary while we were in Bangkok. I found this place and wonder what is known about it.
Have to say I just started researching to get ideas for the trip and have become aware of all the horrible abuses and controversy surrounding this activity so can anyone tell me if this place is another abusive so called "sanctuary" or is it ligitimate?

https://www.elephantsworld.org/

Thank you.

The following thread might be worth a read....

https://www.fodors.com/community/asi...hants-1641563/

Quite long, but you'll get the general message.

Elephant experiences to consider:

Elephant Nature Park, near Chiang Mai, is very well regarded. The founder of this camp has lent her expertise to camps in Burma and Laos.

Located in Khao Sok National Park in southern Thailand, Elephant Hills is Thailand’s first luxury tented camp. Expensive, but the reports are that it is great.

I had started to read the threads which caused me to ask about Elephantsworld. Is there a site that rates the ethics of the various parks, and does this particular place seem ethical. It does from the site but that can be misleading.

I am not going to Chaing Mai on this trip so will not be able to visit the above rec place. I would definitely not go anywhere where there is a hint of animal abuse, I became a vegetarian over 30 years ago after learning of the horrific abuses of factory farmed animals. I wish all those concerned about animal abuses would consider not condoning the practices by not eating meat, seems somewhat hypocritical to me. I never liked vegetables, was a meat and potato person but when you feel passionate about something, it was easy for me to stop eating meat, wearing leather, etc.

Thank you for the responses.

Part of the food chain though, no food chain, no need for the animals, 10s of 1000s of jobs lost Worldwide.

Don't vegans and vegetarians wear anything made from animals? We're all hypocrites in one way or another.

"I would definitely not go anywhere where there is a hint of animal abuse" . In which case don’t go to anywhere in Asia. The abuse of animals is everywhere. For that matter the abuse of human rights is pretty endemic across Asia too.

Google ethical elephant sanctuaries in Thailand. I did and found several organizations that list ethical ones.

Things that will tell you to avoid a place is if they allow riding, if they teach the elephants to do tricks, if they use hooks, etc. From reading the website, it is clear that they do a number of things that won't pass muster with the animal right organizations.

LancasterLad, we do what we have to do. So many considerations for most of our decisions but don't worry, we vegetarians are a very small majority, won't change anything. But, many jobs have been lost to progress and others have taken their places so I won't start eating meat, wearing leather, wool, silk etc. to maintain the status quo, just something I need to do. You are right though about hypocrisy, I eat some dairy products, have not been able to make the transition to veganism as my younger son is. He sent me the most delicious vegan "chocolate" assortment candy for Mother's Day, really, truly delicious., as good as my favorite, See's.
Thank you for your input.

crellston, I should have been more specific as I meant a tourist venue when travelling. I couldn't go anywhere in this world where there are no abuses of animals, humans, environment, whatever, sad to say!

Has anybody looked at the site link to be able to ascertain if this place is making false claims as to ethical treatment of the elephants? Is there anyway I can find out about it other than their site? I think I'll just forget about it.

Just found this:

Animal Abuse at ElephantsWorld in Kanchanaburi, Thailand - Don't Volunteer Here

I think you have found your answer.

Yes I did. Thank you all for your responses. Saw this also:

https://mailchi.mp/e2ff3ada648f/foun...5odwa5mPt-lf1A

Just an FYI for anyone interested in volunteering at a sanctuary. Elephant Nature Park is included.

https://www.gooverseas.com/blog/how-...ry-in-thailand

Thanks for the link to the good article on volunteering with elephants.

My pleasure, Kathie.

You are paying money to be entertained by an animal that should be in the wild. Unless there are standards strictly enforced to protect the welfare of the animal, which there will not be in Thailand, the commercial incentives of this situation will invariably make this whole thing dodgy and exploitative. Don't do it.

Deciding on what is and isn't "ethical" - is extremely difficult..... especially if you rely solely on layman's references.........

It is however well established that there is an intolerable amount of animal abuse , smuggling and profiteering in Thailand whi=ch has virtually no welfare laws and the largest number of elephants of any country in the region.

The other side is to review your own motives for wanting to encounter elephants and what you will achieve by doing this.

there is also the rule of thumb: - If they are ridden they are being abused.

I have struggled with the same moral dilemma, Khunwilko. I am a pescetarian, and animal welfare is very important to me. When I inquired about elephant humane camps in South East Asia, I read about about elephant hill in Thailand and I was all set to go there, but my youngest daughter at 3 years old was too young according to their rules.

I found an alternative in Laos, close to Luang Prabang, at Elephant Village. You can read my report here and scroll to the Laos portion:

https://www.fodors.com/community/asi...iland-1665306/

I use to have a hard stance about elephant camps and wanting them to be only in the wild. I really respect those who still hold that belief. I have modified my opinion to take in consideration the social economic ramification of the role of the elephant in the Laos culture.