8 Ethical Elephant Sanctuaries In Chiang Mai: A Responsible Traveler’s Guide
Considering visiting one of the elephant sanctuaries in Chiang Mai? For years, elephants have been integral to Thai culture and society. Used for labor, transportation, and entertainment, these enormous beings have long been a part of the country's heritage.
However, in recent years, the mistreatment of elephants has been discovered, and to combat this, a number of ethical elephant sanctuaries have sprung up in Chiang Mai.
These retreats provide a safe haven for elephants that have been abused or neglected. The elephants are given plenty of space to roam and socialize with other beings and are also provided with the care and attention they need to recover from their ordeal.
As a result, the sanctuaries offer a much-needed respite for these majestic creatures. In this guide, we'll talk about which elephant sanctuaries are a sham and to be avoided at all costs, the do's and don'ts of visiting an elephant park, and the places that do deserve your custom.
Are All Elephant Sanctuaries In Chiang Mai Ethical?
Unfortunately not. There are plenty of ethical Elephant Sanctuaries in Chiang Mai, and the number is ever-increasing as more and more tourists educate themselves before visiting a park.
However, there are still several elephant attractions that use inhumane practices in order to make a cheap buck. The following "sanctuaries" are an example of the mistreatment of elephants and should be avoided:
Thai Elephant Home
Chiang Dao Elephant Camp
Patara Elephant Farm
Should You Ride An Elephant?
While you may have seen friends' vacation snaps and thought how incredible it looks to ride an elephant, the truth behind riding these majestic beasts is a lot uglier than it appears. From the outside, it seems as though you would simply hop on your elephant and take a leisurely stroll through the jungle with an elephant handler who gently guides the animal along the correct path.
Unfortunately, these "handlers" torture the elephants in order to break their spirits and force them to obey human commands. During a ride, the elephant is constantly prodded in their most sensitive areas with a small hook and most are also chained.
Despite their size and weight, elephants are not designed to carry humans on their backs, and constant riding causes damage to their spines. On top of this, an elephant used for tourist experiences is never allowed to retire, even when injured or disabled.
While it may seem like a harmless way to witness the magnitude of these gentle giants, elephant rides should never be conducted. Instead, there are plenty of ways to enjoy seeing these animals up close in a happy environment where their biggest worries are when to have a nap. Keep reading to find out how to choose an ethical sanctuary.
How To Spot An Ethical Elephant Sanctuary In Chiang Mai
It can be difficult to determine which sanctuaries are exactly as their name states, and which are prisons for elephants. Here are some things to look out for when choosing an ethical sanctuary in Chiang Mai:
The sanctuary puts the animal's welfare over profit
You can't ride an elephant
You can't witness elephant tricks such as painting, standing, etc.
There aren't any chains
There is limited or no feeding of the elephants
They don't breed elephants
There is limited or zero physical contact with the elephants
You may be thinking "why is it bad to feed or touch an elephant?"
When an elephant is fed all day by tourists, it becomes overfed and at risk of obesity. If a sanctuary allows you to feed the animals, it should be limited to mealtimes only.
When it comes to touching, it's a gray area. Some sanctuaries allow you to touch the elephants while remaining ethical, however, touching should be limited as it takes away the elephants' own bodily autonomy.
Think of it this way, if someone you knew were to give you a cuddle, you'd probably find it lovely, but if that cuddle was from a stranger and it happened all day long…you might feel a little traumatized, right?
If you are allowed to touch the elephants, they should be able to come and go as they please, to seek refuge from human contact if they wish to be left alone.
True sanctuaries often rescue the animals from sham elephant camps where they are tortured and forced to perform for tourists. They may also be saved from the logging industry where they are used to destroy their own teak forests.
Regardless of where they come from, ethical elephant sanctuaries in Chiang Mai allow the animals to rest, recover, and live out the rest of their lives in peace.
There are a plethora of ways to see exotic creatures in a safe and ethical way. You can find out about similar activities and how to be an ethical traveler in our community.
Do's And Don'ts For Choosing An Elephant Sanctuary In Chiang Mai
DO check reviews of the sanctuary online
DO read up on the history of the sanctuary
DO donate time or money to ethical sanctuaries if possible, to support their cause
DON'T be afraid to ask questions
DON'T trust a park's practices just because it's called a sanctuary, orphanage, or rescue. These names are not regulated and anyone can use them
Ethical Elephant Sanctuaries In Chiang Mai
Elephant Nature Park
Elephant Nature Park is the most well-known and visited of the elephant sanctuaries in Chiang Mai. It focuses on rehabilitating elephants who have been rescued from dire conditions and has been operating since the 1990s.
As well as elephants, the sanctuary is also home to other species such as buffaloes, cats, and dogs. Elephant Nature Park is running a rainforest restoration scheme that includes planting 25 acres of trees every year for five years.
Allowed activities:
Riding: No
Feeding: Yes
Bathing: No
Elephant Freedom Village
Elephant Freedom Village is another highly raved-about sanctuary in the Chiang Mai region. It keeps tourist groups small in order to ensure the elephants don't become overwhelmed by the humans surrounding them. The staff also educates visitors on the Karen tribe who are closely linked with the magnificent beasts.
Allowed activities:
Riding: No
Feeding: Yes
Bathing: Yes
Into The Wild Elephant Camp
The Into The Wild Elephant Camp team is dedicated to giving back to the community. They do this by providing jobs to members of the Karen hill tribe and providing provisions to the surrounding neighborhoods. You can watch the elephants enjoying life as they're supposed to — in the wild — as well as gently bathe and feed them.
Allowed activities:
Riding: No
Feeding: Yes
Bathing: Yes
BEES - Burm and Emily's Elephant Sanctuary
The BEES Sanctuary was launched by traveler Emily who journeyed to Thailand as a teenager and witnessed the horrors of the elephant tourism trade first-hand. When she moved to the region, she co-founded the retreat with her partner Burm who is a Thai national. Their aim is to allow elephants to live as they should and just BE, free from performing for tourists.
Allowed activities:
Riding: No
Feeding: No
Bathing: No
More Ethical Elephant Sanctuaries In Chiang Mai
Final Thoughts On Elephant Sanctuaries In Chiang Mai
There are plenty of ethical Elephant sanctuaries in Chiang Mai that will allow you to discover the gentle giants without compromising your ethics. Here, the elephants roam free and happy, able to wander the forest and graze at their leisure.