“Poverty Alleviation Through Sustainable Tourism Development: An Idea or reality?”

Chananya from the Lisu Lodge in Chiang Mai discusses the issue

After a decision to withdraw elephants rides from our tours, we were encouraged by the

positive feedback of this act.

Discontinuing elephant ride tour also means a loss of income for the local community

but we should not let the elephants become the cost and the victims of the creation of

sustainable economy.

sustainability-at-what-cost-2

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http://www.boundingoveroursteps.com/surin-elephant-roundup-behind-the-scenes/

... puts a bad view of things. However I don't see what is wrong with elephant riding as long as it stays within the limits of the animal.

Actually, I'm OK with it.

Have done it once.

OK, if properly managed and the Elephants welfare is a strong consideration.

I agree as per the above. At least they are being looked after to some degree and not in danger of being hunted down by poachers.

Instead of taking care that laws are in place and enforced to protect the animals- let's boycott all elephant camps, make sure the Mahout run out of money...and then what?

More elephants on the streets of Bangkok and Pattaya, begging for food and money.

More elephants "put out of misery" by their owners, who can not feed them anymore?

More elephants "set free" and - as they are used to human company- harassing villages?

Just boycotting camps will change nothing for the better of the elephants, IMHO.

Instead of taking care that laws are in place and enforced to protect the animals- let's boycott all elephant camps, make sure the Mahout run out of money...and then what?

More elephants on the streets of Bangkok and Pattaya, begging for food and money.

More elephants "put out of misery" by their owners, who can not feed them anymore?

More elephants "set free" and - as they are used to human company- harassing villages?

Just boycotting camps will change nothing for the better of the elephants, IMHO.

Why does a wild animal need an owner, a mahout or beg for food or money? If provided a proper wild habitat there would be no need to harass villages - more likely the villages harass the elephants for ivory or baby.