WHY ASIAN ELEPHANTS
Asian Elephants are approaching extinction in the wild and severe abuse in captivity.
GET TO KNOW ASIAN ELEPHANTS
Asian elephants (Elephas maximus) are one of three extant elephant species, alongside African savanna and African forest elephants. Known for their intelligence, social behavior, and deep connection to the ecosystems they inhabit, Asian elephants are primarily found in South and Southeast Asia, including countries like India, Sri Lanka, Thailand, and parts of Indonesia.
Size
Asian elephants are generally smaller than African elephants, standing around 7-10 feet tall at the shoulder.
Ears
Asian elephants have smaller, more rounded ears compared to the large, fan-like ears of African elephants.
Tusks
While both male and female African elephants have tusks, in Asian elephants, only some males have visible tusks.
Trunk
The trunk of an Asian elephant has one “finger” at the tip (used for gripping), while African elephants have two.
Lifespan
In the wild, Asian elephants can live up to 60 years. With proper care in captivity, they sometimes reach their early 80s.
“IF WE WANT TO PROTECT THEM, WE HAVE TO DO IT RIGHT NOW.”
- Lek Chailert
Thailand's wild elephant population has plummeted from over 100,000 in the early 1900s to just 1,000-3,000 today, threatened by habitat loss and poaching. With about 3,800 captive elephants in tourism, experts argue that preserving both wild and captive populations is crucial for the species' survival, as insufficient natural habitat remains for releasing captive elephants.
A HISTORY OF ABUSE
After the 1989 ban on logging to prevent further deforestation in Thailand, many people turned to exploitative practices like street begging to cover the high costs of caring for their elephants.
The ban also gave rise to a great number of elephant trekking camps where tourists partake in elephant riding and shows. The truth about this commercial form of elephant tourism is ugly, with thousands of elephants being kept in cruel, abusive conditions.
A growing number of elephant tourism operators advertise themselves as sanctuaries, but behind the scenes reveals a dark truth where elephants continue to suffer.
SEEK ETHICAL ENCOUNTERS,
NOT PHOTO OPS.
An encounter with exotic animals makes its way onto many a traveler’s Bucket List. Unfortunately, all too often, the need for a unique travel experience and a great profile pic is put before animal welfare. Southeast Asia is no exception. The more you know about the suffering involved, the more aware and educated you become in your choices. As travelers, it is our responsibility to be informed and to make the right choices that benefit wildlife.