Recently, people have become aware of the dark side of wildlife tourism. The review of SeaWorld in recent years has opened everyone’s eyes for the better. These same evils exist in the world of elephant sanctuaries. Sadly, many of the parks pose as an ethical through strategic advertising. Due to this, it’s important to make sure you visit an ethical Thailand Elephant Sanctuary in Chiang Mai.
Unethical parks aren’t concerned for the elephant’s wellbeing. They are more interested in profits. As a result, researching sanctuaries online is a good way to avoid getting pressured into a last minute tour. Also, I’ll provide some recommendation below.
Use the red flags and suggestions below to help ensure you don’t accidentally support an unethical sanctuary.
Red Flags
- Elephant Rides – Any sanctuary advertising elephant rides is a huge red flag that they are unethical. Despite the size of elephants, their spines cannot support the weight of a person and will lead to permanent spinal damage.
- Elephant Painting or Shows – Elephants shouldn’t be used for our entertainment. They are wild animals that deserve respect and careful treatment.
- High Volume of Visitors – Sanctuaries should limit the volume of visitors to avoid overwhelming the elephants. This might reduce their profits, but it shows they care about the elephant.
- Direct Contact with the Elephants – Sanctuaries should restrict direct contact when possible. This will minimize the animal’s stress.
Chiang Mai Elephant Sanctuary Options
If you are looking for an ethical elephant sanctuary in Chiang Mai, Thailand, the parks below are all good choices. They are in no particular order.
1. Elephant Nature Park
The Elephant Nature Park is a well known Chiang Mai elephant sanctuary. They take the welfare and development of the animals very seriously. The sanctuary is also involved in other important initiatives. For example, they are advocates of rainforest restoration, cultural preservation, and visitor education.
This Chiang Mai elephant sanctuary even includes a 2-day visit option. The multi-day option includes accommodations to stay the night. This is a great choice if you want to spend more time with the herd. They allow visitors to help feed and walk with the elephants to observe them. Plus, you’ll get to watch them as they bathe and play in the water.
2. Happy Elephant Home
Happy Elephant Home is another Chiang Mai elephant sanctuary and is located about an hour out of the city. Like most of the parks they will arrange to pick you up from your hotel.
The herd is comprised of elephants rescued from poor quality elephant parks. They strive to provide a better life to the animals. Plus, if you are a dog lover they have a couple of resident dogs. This sanctuary also allows you to feed and walk with the elephants. Also, you can observe them during their bath in the river.
3. Elephant Rescue Park
The Elephant Rescue Park operates 365 days a year. They will provide you with a uniform for the duration of your visit to avoid getting your clothes dirty as you will be involved in the daily chores. This includes preparing food, medicine, and going for a walk alongside the elephants and their mahouts. Although they are a little newer than the other parks they provide a good experience.
Bonus Ethical Elephant Sanctuary: Elephant Hills
If you aren’t in northern Thailand, but you’re looking for an ethical park, check out Elephant Hills. They have a pretty unique approach by offering luxury cabins in the park. You can stay on mini safaris for 2-4 days to have an extended experience. While this is a little pricier, it’s worth the money if you want a longer visit.
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