Re: Thailand , India and Asia
I suppose that there will always be conflicting views, Clumsy. One persons experience isn't always the same for the next.
As your review on here is written with honesty, others have also written their own reviews about their own experiences.
Probably best to read the word of authorities on such matters.
http://www.bornfree.org.uk/campaigns...ant-orphanage/
It is also easy to see the mahouts on site, carrying the ‘ankus’, the traditional elephant training tool. This long stick has sharp metal points at one end, which are used to control the elephant. Whilst these may be used irregularly, it is this threat of pain that makes elephants trainable, and hence makes it possible to herd the animals around the site and down to the river on a daily basis. When asked, mahouts in most places will generally say that although they have an ankus they very rarely use it – unfortunately this is not always the case. The training, threatening and herding of animals in this way, although practised throughout Asia, shows that the animals’ welfare cannot be given the highest priority, as one would hope from a facility calling itself a sanctuary.
The role of ‘sanctuary’ or ‘orphanage’ also conflicts with the stated policy of encouraging breeding at Pinnewala. Born Free does not support the keeping of animals in captivity unless it is for their own benefit – for example when they have been rescued from unacceptable captive conditions and are unable to be returned to the wild. To breed more animals for the purpose of being kept in zoos, or sent to private collections or temples, clearly does not satisfy this requirement. There is no need to breed Asian elephants for re-introduction, as there are already many areas where the areas of habitat are straining to hold the wild populations living in them. It is now illegal to capture wild elephants for captivity in Sri Lanka, except in special circumstances, and it seems that this policy is followed in order to provide animals for the captive market, and quite possibly for institutions where the welfare of the animals cannot be guaranteed.
These are our main concerns about the Pinnewala ‘Orphanage’ – the use of mahouts (with ankuses), the chaining of animals (especially during musth), and the breeding (with possible transfers to other captive institutions). Born Free is also concerned about other aspects of the facility that we do not consider appropriate. The physical contact between tourists and animals may provide a popular ‘photo opportunity’, but we feel that it is demeaning for the animals, and does not promote respect and compassion within the tourists. Similarly, the chaining of babies so that they can be fed in front of the crowds is not ideal.
The Born Free Foundation supports the Elephant Transit Home (ETH) in Udawalawe, in Southern Sri Lanka. This facility takes in baby wild elephants that have been separated from their mothers, and cares for them until they can be returned to the wild. Although Pinnewala may not be able to return its animals to the wild, it could certainly provide them with a more ‘natural’ life, as the protocols at the ETH demonstrate.
(There is a lot more to read but too much to paste on here.)