Baby Elephants Torture Training, Smuggled For Thai Tourism

[TigerWan]

Warning: Upsetting Photo

Baby elephant tortured into submission before illegal smuggling from Burma to Thailand

A baby elephant braces for a hit during a training session in a Karen village in Burma.

The training session is coined the 'crush' as its goal is to break the elephant's spirit. Wild elephants are typically tied up and beaten for 3 days straight and left to starve.

Burmese Karen mahouts near the Thai border operate a clandestine and illegal trade network smuggling elephants into Thailand to be sold to mahouts for the Thai tourism industry.

Officials estimate that 1 Burmese elephant is smuggled into Thailand every week.

Brent Lewin / Redux Pictures

Q: What led you to this story, and how did you manage to make this picture? What were any difficulties you experienced?

A: I've been working on documenting the plight of the Asian elephant and their caregivers in Thailand since 2007. It started out with following mahouts and elephants that would beg on the street in Bangkok but as the story began revealing itself it started to become clear that the business that surrounds elephants is responsible for a lot of the problems. With elephant numbers on the decline for a long time in Thailand, the supply of elephants has been coming from smugglers across the border in Burma.

I went to Burma specifically to try and photograph elephants being trained. I had a contact there from an organization in Thailand but it turned out to be a bust. We drove for hours on a motorbike through a dirt path in the jungle only to find out that training had finished a few days before. I started asking around and a local did some research and found out about a young elephant that was set to be trained. We set off on another path in the jungle and showed up and managed to sweet talk our way in.

The young elephant's mother was tied up near the training device and became really uncomfortable when she saw what was about to happen. I've never heard an elephant scream like that before, it felt like the ground shook and she actually broke off her chain and charged at mahouts and myself. The mahouts eventually scared the mother into submission and tied her up again and then started training her baby. The baby elephant was terrified and started crying. The biggest difficulty I experienced was not being able to put a stop to it. There was a point when the elephant just resigned to what was happening and stood still, the life in her eyes disappeared. It was a look that was haunting.

Q: How common is this practice?

A: It's a very traditional technique and quite common but it can vary in terms of the level of violence. It's not all black and white either, some progressive camps use positive reinforcement instead of beatings. There was a time when foreigners could watch elephant training in Thailand but some negative images came out and it's almost impossible as a foreigner to see this now.

[isanbirder]

I'm afraid stories like this are not uncommon. From all I can read, elephant training has always been a pretty brutal business. This is why I (and I am sure many others) will not support any of the tourism-oriented activities involving elephants.

[skybluestu]

Evil personified!!!

[TigerWan]

Please e mail this link and pic.

When my family and I visited a Chiang Mai facility that was chaining, beating and otherwise abusing the elephants , they though it was acceptable. Maybe if they had seen this pic, it might have stopped them from participating.

Tourists don' know and if they did, I'm sure most would not patronize the practice.

Hua Hin is having its annual Thai Polo Tournment next month. what a great place for a group of foreigners to engage Thais on this subject., not in a confrontational way, but educational.

[Mobi]

I am sorry to say that this story and the pics do not surprise me one iota.

I posted in another recent thread that I was sure that cruelty was perpetuated against these gentle giants in order to train them. Nobody can convince me that they could train elephants to walk along a tightrope (as they do at the night safari in Chieng Mai) without resorting to cruelty. The poor animals are in fear of their lives if they do not perform as bid.

I don't particularly blame the Thais - or the Burmese. It seems to be an inherited 'cultural' thing; the kids see their parents cruelty to animals and copy their behaviour. Also, unlike the west, if a kid exercises his natural , spiteful instincts against animals or even insects, no adult would dream of telling him to stop and that he is doing something wrong. All this, Despite the fact that Thais espouse Buddhist precepts which teach them that all living creatures should be respected and treated with care and love. Most people in SE Asia are habitually cruel to animals and have no concept of the hurt they are inflicting - be it to dogs, cows, horses or elephants or whatever...

Don't ever take you dog to be kennelled or, God forbid, trained at a Thai boarding or training centre. I can guarantee that they will be housed and trained with cruelty.

Yet I personally know a poor old Thai-Chinese man and his Thai wife who go out every day to the streets around his home to feed the soi dogs and even feeds the ants - yes the ants - in their garden. They try to practise a love of all God's creatures in every aspect of their lives.

Not all Thais can be tarred with the same brush, but the number is sadly few.

[davee58]

I'm afraid stories like this are not uncommon. From all I can read, elephant training has always been a pretty brutal business. This is why I (and I am sure many others) will not support any of the tourism-oriented activities involving elephants.

What has tourism got to do with this (uncommon) photo and the related story of elephant abuse?

This is cut from an article "documenting the plight of the Asian elephant and their caregivers in Thailand since 2007", the brutality is (supposedly) in Burmah.

Elephants are great, they deserve the best!

I have visited Elephant shows (as a tourist) in Bangkok, Chiang Mai and Sri Lanka. The Elephants are always well looked after and treated with respect, I am happy that the money I pay helps to support the Elephants, and the Mahouts.

Each Mahout dedicates his life to looking after just one Elephant, life is hard for both of them.

When I visit Phnom Penh I always try to see Sambo the famous Elephant who survived the Khmer Rouge era.

Lovely animals!

[Mobi]

I'm afraid stories like this are not uncommon. From all I can read, elephant training has always been a pretty brutal business. This is why I (and I am sure many others) will not support any of the tourism-oriented activities involving elephants.

What has tourism got to do with this (uncommon) photo and the related story of elephant abuse?

This is cut from an article "documenting the plight of the Asian elephant and their caregivers in Thailand since 2007", the brutality is (supposedly) in Burmah.

Elephants are great, they deserve the best!

I have visited Elephant shows (as a tourist) in Bangkok, Chiang Mai and Sri Lanka. The Elephants are always well looked after and treated with respect, I am happy that the money I pay helps to support the Elephants, and the Mahouts.

Each Mahout dedicates his life to looking after just one Elephant, life is hard for both of them.

When I visit Phnom Penh I always try to see Sambo the famous Elephant who survived the Khmer Rouge era.

Lovely animals!

Yes, lovely animals, not so sure about all the trainers and 'carers' being quite so lovely....

Of course they are smart enough to know theat their public image must appear to be impeccable in order to attract those stupid foreigners who have an 'unhealthy' love for animals.

You are not exactly going to turn up at a tourist site and see a mahout beating his elephant. Try going 'undercover' and see what you find out.....

[Beetlejuice]

Heartbreaking, truly heartbreaking.

This is a practice that has been in operation for years.

The same treatment was uncovered regarding Orangutans that are used for shows in Las Vegas and on performing circus animal acts from around the world.

These poor creatures are trained to perform by using fear and brute violence against them. Contrary to the popular belief of many ignorant people, these animals are highly intelligent; they do experience the same fears, pains and share similar emotions to humans.

The countries of south East Asia are not animal loving nations in the true sense as in the West. Take a look at the condition of the pets for sale at the Thai market places and so called pet shops. I have witnessed puppies, kittens, rabbits and exotic animals looking half staved and almost dead and locked up in box like cages with no water, no food in an appalling state up for sale in these places. I have been close to tears on many occasions looking at these animals. Devastating to see for sure.

The solution is; avoid these shows and let the cruel owners go out of business. Once they begin feeling the pinch in their bank balances they would be forced to either clean up they’re acts or closed down altogether. I never visit or contribute anything towards these businesses.

This form of animal cruelty will always continue as long as there are those who are willing to pay as spectators under the guise of entertainment.

[tim armstrong]

I truly did not know that elephants were trained in this way. In my naivety I thought it was more like a domestic animal. Thanks for the gruesome photo, I will think differently from now on about elephant shows for tourists. Regards.

[mstribling]

I really enjoy the elephant shows in Surin. Great time. My family loved it.

[isanbirder]

The sad thing is that there is no real use for elephants in captivity these days. When they were used for logging, there was some sense in it, but now... none. The quicker the elephant shows go out of business, the better. Unthinking tourists will still pay their dollars, and not care about the animals.

I am against any wild animals being used for entertainment purposes. Their place is in the forest. And, if it's the Asian elephant's time to slide into extinction, so be it.

[MSingh]

I really enjoy the elephant shows in Surin. Great time. My family loved it.

[davee58]

I really enjoy the elephant shows in Surin. Great time. My family loved it.

Yes, the work being done at the Elephant Sanctuary in Surin shows the other side of the picture, people working hard to improve the standard of life for Elephants and for their Mahouts.

A prime example of how Tourism can help to support these amazing creatures.

I am always surprised by how many people read one bad story about Elephant abuse, and assume that all Elephants are treated in the same way.

To quote from an earlier post: "No real use for Elephants" "Let them slide into Extinction" What a sad attitude.

[TheLaughingMan]

I'm afraid stories like this are not uncommon. From all I can read, elephant training has always been a pretty brutal business. This is why I (and I am sure many others) will not support any of the tourism-oriented activities involving elephants.

What has tourism got to do with this (uncommon) photo and the related story of elephant abuse?

This is cut from an article "documenting the plight of the Asian elephant and their caregivers in Thailand since 2007", the brutality is (supposedly) in Burmah.

Elephants are great, they deserve the best!

I have visited Elephant shows (as a tourist) in Bangkok, Chiang Mai and Sri Lanka. The Elephants are always well looked after and treated with respect, I am happy that the money I pay helps to support the Elephants, and the Mahouts.

Each Mahout dedicates his life to looking after just one Elephant, life is hard for both of them.

When I visit Phnom Penh I always try to see Sambo the famous Elephant who survived the Khmer Rouge era.

Lovely animals!

You sound utterly brainwashed and/or foolish. Are you being serious or making a bad joke?

[gotlost]

I do know what should happen to the two nutters in the photo but TV would delete my post.

[mstribling]

I liked that movie Khan Kluay. It's about an elephant in Thailand. After he gets trained by humans, he goes and serves the King! Nice movie, very popular.

T

I see an elephant bathing in the ditch just of the road where I live. He seems to be doing ok. I see him about twice a week.

[davee58]

You sound utterly brainwashed and/or foolish. Are you being serious or making a bad joke?

Completely serious, positive action needs to be taken to support Elephants, and Tourism can play a part in this.

Admittedly life is hard for Elephant and Mahout, but it always has been, if tourists ignore their plight the situation will only get worse, not better.

Read my second post (above), and then research the Surin Elephant project (Google), this is just one of many schemes set up to help improve the life of Elephants in Thailand.

Have you ever seen a real Elephant, or is your experience based on a few one sided articles and distressing photographs??

[Mobi]

Don't you ever wonder why so many countries in the west, including the UK, have a blanket ban on public animal performances. Even if these animals are not trained through cruel means, the way that they are kept by travelling shows and circuses in itself is tantamount to animal cruelty. However kind the owners and trainers appear to be, they cannot escape the fact that animals are kept in cramped, unatural and unsatisfactory conditions for much of their lives.

But even in relatively recent years, journalists have gone under cover in the west at apparently highly reputable circuses and have exposed cruel training practises..

It seems to me to be a plain fact that you cannot take a wild animal and get it to perform tricks in public without resorting some measure of cruelty.

Some years ago I witnessed a baby elephant in Bangkok, with his mahout, doing the rounds of the bars, performing simple tricks to the punters and the mahout receiving tips. The scene looked very jolly, the mahout behaved very gently and lovingly to the beautiful animal and one and all felt sorry for the two inseparables - man and his beloved beast.

Yet a few hours later, I was walking back to my car when I happened to see the two performers in a deserted soi. The baby elephant was on its knees and the mahout was beating it mercilessly with a large stick. The poor elephant appeared to be crying out in pain. The mahout caught me watching them and immediately stopped what he was doing and gave me an embarrassed smile. It was a horrible and unforgettable scene.

I'm not saying that every mahout treats his elephant in this way but there is enough evidence in the public sphere to suggest that at least some measure of cruelty is perpetuated on these wonderful beasts during the years of their training.

I accept that these days the Asian elephant's plight is tragic and that a solution should be found to protect and keep these wonderful beast alive. But IMHO, elephant shows are NOT the solution.

If it were ever possible to talk to an elephant and tell him that it is no longer possible for him to live his life in the time honoured way in the jungle, with his wife, family and fellow elephants, and the choice is either to be a performing freak in an arena watched by hundreds of yelling, frightening tourists and being hit and gouged by mahouts; or to fade away and have a dignified death, I think we can guess what his response may be....

[DP25]

The sad thing is that there is no real use for elephants in captivity these days. When they were used for logging, there was some sense in it, but now... none. The quicker the elephant shows go out of business, the better. Unthinking tourists will still pay their dollars, and not care about the animals.

If these shows go out of business that means thousands of elephants will die. It isn't like there are only a couple dozen elephants that could be put in to a zoo, there are thousands of them and they live for 80 years. How are they going to survive?

[manarak]

The sad thing is that there is no real use for elephants in captivity these days. When they were used for logging, there was some sense in it, but now... none. The quicker the elephant shows go out of business, the better. Unthinking tourists will still pay their dollars, and not care about the animals.

If these shows go out of business that means thousands of elephants will die. It isn't like there are only a couple dozen elephants that could be put in to a zoo, there are thousands of them and they live for 80 years. How are they going to survive?

That's what I thought too.

Stop the brutal training and the elephants will disappear.

[isanbirder]

The sad thing is that there is no real use for elephants in captivity these days. When they were used for logging, there was some sense in it, but now... none. The quicker the elephant shows go out of business, the better. Unthinking tourists will still pay their dollars, and not care about the animals.

If these shows go out of business that means thousands of elephants will die. It isn't like there are only a couple dozen elephants that could be put in to a zoo, there are thousands of them and they live for 80 years. How are they going to survive?

That's what I thought too.

Stop the brutal training and the elephants will disappear.

What you seem to be saying is, Let the brutal training go on so that the elephant shows can stay in business. And when does it all stop?

[Mobi]

I don’t believe it is beyond the wit of man – or Thais – to come up with a scheme to save elephants from extinction without resorting to exploiting them in public freak shows.

Thailand is a long way from being a poor country these days and I cannot believe that the government would not be able to allocate a budget to save this most revered of species if they really wanted to.

Elephant reservations could be set up in thinly populated, jungle areas and the public, including foreigners, could be invited to make donations to the effort.

Furthermore , if the reservations were set up properly, there is no reason why they couldn’t also become part of the tourist circuit where tour groups could travel to these places and watch these creatures (from a suitable distance) as they exist in their natural habitats, in a similar way to the safari concept in places like Kenya.

Freak shows are NOT the solution to saving elephants from extinction and there are viable alternatives - if there was a will, which currently, there clearly isn’t.

[kurnell]

That is the last time I or my children visit any kid of elephant show.

[tim armstrong]

Don't you ever wonder why so many countries in the west, including the UK, have a blanket ban on public animal performances. Even if these animals are not trained through cruel means, the way that they are kept by travelling shows and circuses in itself is tantamount to animal cruelty. However kind the owners and trainers appear to be, they cannot escape the fact that animals are kept in cramped, unatural and unsatisfactory conditions for much of their lives.

But even in relatively recent years, journalists have gone under cover in the west at apparently highly reputable circuses and have exposed cruel training practises..

It seems to me to be a plain fact that you cannot take a wild animal and get it to perform tricks in public without resorting some measure of cruelty.

Some years ago I witnessed a baby elephant in Bangkok, with his mahout, doing the rounds of the bars, performing simple tricks to the punters and the mahout receiving tips. The scene looked very jolly, the mahout behaved very gently and lovingly to the beautiful animal and one and all felt sorry for the two inseparables - man and his beloved beast.

Yet a few hours later, I was walking back to my car when I happened to see the two performers in a deserted soi. The baby elephant was on its knees and the mahout was beating it mercilessly with a large stick. The poor elephant appeared to be crying out in pain. The mahout caught me watching them and immediately stopped what he was doing and gave me an embarrassed smile. It was a horrible and unforgettable scene.

I'm not saying that every mahout treats his elephant in this way but there is enough evidence in the public sphere to suggest that at least some measure of cruelty is perpetuated on these wonderful beasts during the years of their training.

I accept that these days the Asian elephant's plight is tragic and that a solution should be found to protect and keep these wonderful beast alive. But IMHO, elephant shows are NOT the solution.

If it were ever possible to talk to an elephant and tell him that it is no longer possible for him to live his life in the time honoured way in the jungle, with his wife, family and fellow elephants, and the choice is either to be a performing freak in an arena watched by hundreds of yelling, frightening tourists and being hit and gouged by mahouts; or to fade away and have a dignified death, I think we can guess what his response may be....

Very well said Mobi, I agree 100% Regards, Tim

[isanbirder]

I don't believe it is beyond the wit of man – or Thais – to come up with a scheme to save elephants from extinction without resorting to exploiting them in public freak shows.

Thailand is a long way from being a poor country these days and I cannot believe that the government would not be able to allocate a budget to save this most revered of species if they really wanted to.

Elephant reservations could be set up in thinly populated, jungle areas and the public, including foreigners, could be invited to make donations to the effort.

Furthermore , if the reservations were set up properly, there is no reason why they couldn't also become part of the tourist circuit where tour groups could travel to these places and watch these creatures (from a suitable distance) as they exist in their natural habitats, in a similar way to the safari concept in places like Kenya.

Freak shows are NOT the solution to saving elephants from extinction and there are viable alternatives - if there was a will, which currently, there clearly isn't.

Well said, Mobi. Unfortunately, I don't think the Government cares how they are treated.

There needs to be a reservation, probably in the Western forest complex, where the captive elephants can slowly learn to re-adapt to living in the wild. The Lampang Elephant Conservation Centre is doing something like this, on a small scale.

[Mobi]

Well said, Mobi. Unfortunately, I don't think the Government cares how they are treated.

There needs to be a reservation, probably in the Western forest complex, where the captive elephants can slowly learn to re-adapt to living in the wild. The Lampang Elephant Conservation Centre is doing something like this, on a small scale.

Yes, but maybe over time, the government can be persuaded to 'care'. Elephants are highly revered by most Thais, including 'He who mustn't be mentioned', and it would be national tragedy (and also a national disgrace)if there was any real danger of them becoming an extinct species.

If the freak shows stopped because no one attended them then they may decide to do something as it would be a popular move and could benefit them at the polls.

If they did set up proper reservations, I am sure that organisations such as the WWF could become involved and maybe make financial contributions.

I know it is all wishful thinking, but who knows, one day, if enough influential lobbying is made.

[Thongkorn]

Sadly the Elephants where there before Humans , they have nowhere to go as humans have colonized every bit of land so living wild is not an option for them. My wife family has a few Elephants, They where used in the Jungles but now they cannot be used for what they have done for hundreds of years , Her Elephants are treat as part of the family , and they respond like they are part of the family. They are very intelligent as i have found out many times, I once stood with my back to the door , i felt a tap on my shoulder, I turned around to find bull elephant stood there, I said hello and went to give him A banana ,I broke one off to give to him , i offered him One , he took the other 8 out of my hand,Instead of the one offerd. They have never been mistreated, just given great respect.

[davee58]

I am rather confused as to what all this talk of "Freak Shows" is about.

I find it difficult to understand how anybody can be so hard hearted as to consider Elephants to be "Freaks".

In the wild Elephants have a hard life, mankind does not always make things easier. Efforts to look after Elephants and give them reasonable living conditions must be applauded and given full support, hence my earlier posts about the great work being carried out at Surin (Thailand), and other similar locations.

An Elephant show provides meaningful employment for Elephants, as well as providing both tourists and well wishers with a chance to meet these gracious beasts, and to further interest in their fate. It is however very important that the Elephants (and their Mahouts) are properly looked after, and receive good care.

I am certain that an Elephant would rather be playing a game of football with his mates in front of cheering crowds at an Elephant show, than sitting on his ass, bored in the middle of the jungle.

All this is of course a long way from the original article and (rather extreme) photograph posted by TigerWan, this is the traditional method used to train what is a dangerous wild animal, the aim being to restrain the Elephant and keep it under control.

I found an interesting article about the History of Elephant Training if anybody is interested.

[Mobi]

I am rather confused as to what all this talk of "Freak Shows" is about.

I find it difficult to understand how anybody can be so hard hearted as to consider Elephants to be "Freaks".

You know very well what I mean - the elephants are not the freaks but the shows are......

Are you sure that forcing elephants to play football is making them happy? They told you did they?

How about walking on tightropes?

And how how about the almost certain cruelty that is used to train them to do such unnatural things?

Are you sure they love the roaring, baiting crowds who are watching them? Did you ask them?

As for sitting on their ass, bored in the middle of the jungle..... come on, you have to be joking....

I don't know why I bother to respond when you write such tosh

[robblok]

I am rather confused as to what all this talk of "Freak Shows" is about.

I find it difficult to understand how anybody can be so hard hearted as to consider Elephants to be "Freaks".

In the wild Elephants have a hard life, mankind does not always make things easier. Efforts to look after Elephants and give them reasonable living conditions must be applauded and given full support, hence my earlier posts about the great work being carried out at Surin (Thailand), and other similar locations.

An Elephant show provides meaningful employment for Elephants, as well as providing both tourists and well wishers with a chance to meet these gracious beasts, and to further interest in their fate. It is however very important that the Elephants (and their Mahouts) are properly looked after, and receive good care.

I am certain that an Elephant would rather be playing a game of football with his mates in front of cheering crowds at an Elephant show, than sitting on his ass, bored in the middle of the jungle.

All this is of course a long way from the original article and (rather extreme) photograph posted by TigerWan, this is the traditional method used to train what is a dangerous wild animal, the aim being to restrain the Elephant and keep it under control.

I found an interesting article about the History of Elephant Training if anybody is interested.

Are you for real ?

I must say im not sure if i am against these shows as long as the elephants are not treated bad or made to do real strange things. The thing is if its commercial the handlers will keep thinking of new things to bring in extra tourist money. That is not good because then its money motivated. However showing them just to cover cost (i doubt that this is done they all want a profit) would be acceptable because there is just not enough wild habitat for them the alternative is death.

So its not all that black and white.