Elephants on the street
For centuries elephants in Thailand have been migrating during the dry season to the cities, where a lot of tourists and therefore food can be found. However, the last fifteen years, elephants can be found on the streets of Bangkok all year round. Businessmen buy elephants and rent them out to the so-called ¨mahouts¨, otherwise jobless people who use the elephants to generate an income.
Drugged slaves
Begging from tourists has turned into a very lucrative trade, and the number of baby elephants seen on the streets is a sure sign that more are being brought in. These youngsters have often been poached in the neighbouring country of Myanmar. The elephants are being used to transport tourists or to beg. The elephants in Bangkok spend their days trying to find shelter in a concrete jungle, and spend their nights performing for tourists.
The ban of elephants from Bangkok city
Although the Thai government has prohibited elephants on the streets of Bangkok, the animals are still regularly brought into the city by their keepers, or mahouts, who encourage tourists to give them money in return for being able to feed their charges a few leaves. Many of these elephants previously worked in logging camps. When the government closed down all logging operations in 1989 in order to protect the country’s remaining forests, their keepers had to find another means of income.
When you see an elephant in Bangkok, realise that buying food doesn’t help the elephant. Elephants in cities are illegal! Call National Park and Wildlife: 1362 (hotline) or 02 6514292 ext 733 to report, or tell the police in this area.
