Where Do Unemployed Elephants Find Work?

[Sandra & John Scott]

At one time there were more than 100,000 elephants in Thailand, mainly working in the timber business. In 1989, the worst flooding in the Thai history caused the death of thousands of people. The flood was a direct result of excessive timber harvesting. To protect the rapidly diminishing forests, the Thai government outlawed timbering. This left over thousands of domesticated working elephants with no means of supporting themselves.

Today there are only about 5,000 elephants mostly working in the tourist industry.  Elephant camps provide a place where elephant rides and performances generate enough for their food and health care. They also produce dubiously marketable items like elephant dung paper, elephant paintings, greeting cards, and souvenirs. These camps exist through admission fees and donations.

 
The Chiang-Dao Chiang Mai Elephant Training Center was one of the first in Chiang Mai.  It is located in a tree-covered hill area around the Ping River. A visit starts with feeding bananas to the elephant with the recommendation to feed them several at a time as they get bored. Then it is bathing time with the mahouts. The elephants demonstrate their logging technique of dragging and piling the large logs.  And, surprise… one will even paint a picture that can be purchased.  But, the fun part is an elephant ride through the jungle, up the creek and back to camp via the river. Truly a do-not miss experience while in Chiang Mai.

 

  

More information: ChiangDaoElephantCamp.com