470 signatures collected
PETITION TARGETS: Thailand Ministry of Tourism, Tourism Authority of Thailand and Ministry of Public Health
Chained mother elephant trying to breastfeed her baby, elephants stabbed with nails and hooks as they scream in pain, elephants forced on walks, and more: this is revealed by a new investigation by Lady Freethinker (LFT).
LFT investigator visited eight elephant ‘attractions’ in Thailand – Sanctuary of Truth, Samphran Elephant Ground and Zoo, Pattaya Elephant Village, Nong Nooch Tropical Garden, Khao Kheow Open Zoo, Chang Thai Thappraya Safari, Chang Siam Camp and Chang Puak Camp – and found cruelty and abuse in each of them.
At Khao Kheow Open Zoo in Bang Phra, handlers used nails – in an apparent attempt to hide the abuse from the public – to stab elephants, including a baby named Saan Suay, who was stabbed behind the ear and in the side, and another who was stabbed and had her ear ripped off before screaming in pain. Elephants were also stabbed with nails at the Nong Nooch Tropical Garden, according to our investigator.
The elephants showed signs of zoochosis – or psychological distress present in animals in captivity – including nodding, rocking back and forth and pacing.
At Chang Siam Park, an elephant showing signs of zoochosis also had a visible wound on its cheek and a tear stain under one eye. At the Samphran Elephant Ground and Zoo, an elephant was pacing, chained by the neck.
The LFT investigator saw frequent use of bullhooks – sticks with sharp metal hooks used to control animals through fear and pain – including at Pattaya Elephant Village, where our investigator observed a trainer sharpening a fish hook and another elephant hooked by the ear, making the animal scream, and at Chang Puak Elephant Camp, where a trainer forcefully hit an elephant’s hind legs with a hook.
At the Chang Thai Thappraya Safari, our investigator spotted an elephant with bullhook marks on its face.
Elephants are sensitive and social animals that live in complex social groups and love their families. They are known to console themselves in times of stress by “squeezing” themselves with their trunks, they mourn the loss of their loved ones by caressing the bones of their deceased ancestors and they have exceptional memories.
Abusing and exploiting elephants for ‘entertainment’ and profit is unacceptable.
Please sign our petition today urging Thai authorities to immediately investigate these facilities and move abused and suffering animals to reputable sanctuaries.
Then share this petition with your friends and family, and don’t forget to never support a place that exploits and abuses animals for “entertainment”.
