Let’s back up for a second. Normally I do not go on organized adventures, I like to venture out on my own. I made an exception, however, mainly because I wanted to go into this travel agency and play with the cutest (and laziest) brown toy poodle a dog lover has ever seen. So I go in the agency, play with the dog (and by play I mean she lay in her favorite spot right on the desk and licked my hands the second I stopped petting her) then I got sucked into the brightly colored brochures of excursions they offered. I signed up for an “Island Safari” and at 8:00 the next morning I was in a jeep with the wind blowing in my hair, excited to see the animals.

I was admittedly disappointed. It was not a bad excursion. The program they had arranged was lovely really. The tour guide was exceptionally kind and accommodating & the the group I was put in was a fun bunch. The problem I have with this excursion is something I saw that opened my eyes to what it really takes to have a “safari” like this one.

Here is the scene:

While riding an elephant, I happily trotted along with a big bag of bananas handing bunches of them to the elephant every few minutes. It was exciting, I felt as though I really connected with the flora and fauna of the region I was visiting. Many people were asking questions about the wildlife and I casually asked the elephant guide how long Asian Elephants live for. He answered 60-80 years. (I later checked and this is true. We will come back to this fact.)

As the tour came to a close I saw something terrible. One of those terrible things that makes your stomach do a back flip that ends in your throat.  An elephant caretaker striking an elephant on the head as the elephant resisted exiting the water he was drinking. I just saw an animal abused. Some people may say “O, they cant really feel it”. To that I say “Did the elephant tell you that? How can you be sure?”

As I had enjoyed the animals, I did not once stop and think. “These animals are not really ‘wildlife’ “. After all they are not really living in the wild they are living in a kind of zoo for tourists. And the elephants who are born here will live their entire 60-80 years being struck by impatient caretakers. It was sad to say the least. I like animals, but I would not call myself a bleeding heart advocate. Anyone could see that behind the friendly tour, there was a very ugly side. I had patronized this establishment and I had just supported the abuse of animals.

I was expecting an adventure not a lesson on how the tour industry profits from abuse of wild animals. I experienced it first hand and, yes, it did open my eyes. So “they” are right. Traveling does open your eyes.

Is using wild animals for tourist attractions right?

Facts About Asian Elephants:

- Reduction of its habitat has caused its population to decline.

- African & Asian Elephants are in danger of extinction.

- The remaining populations are mostly small, isolated, and fragmented because their ancient migratory routes and habitat have been disrupted by expanding human encroachment.

- Poaching for ivory, meat and hides is still a widespread problem.

- Animals used in tourist attractions and with street beggars are commonly injured as a result of the abuse from owners and caretakers when they do not “perform”.

Facts From:

http://www.earthsendangered.com/profile.asp?ID=3&sp=143

http://www.worldwildlife.org/species/finder/asianelephants/asianelephant.html