September 22 is an important day in the responsible tourism calendar and one to note if travelling responsibly matters to you. National Elephant Appreciation Day is one of the awareness days highlighting threats posed to elephant populations by poaching and habitat loss. But what else do you need to know about elephant welfare?
Responsible and irresponsible tourism - ivory
The first rule is that of not encouraging the trade in ivory. Whilst many countries have bans in place on ivory products, elephant ivory is still very evident in destinations including Thailand, Cambodia, Vietnam and Japan.[i] There is strong demand for such products from Chinese tourists and market stalls across South East Asian countries respond to this with supply.
Ensuring you do not bolster this by purchasing jewellery and other items that contain ivory is the first important step to take. This will land you in trouble back in the UK but is also supporting elephant poaching and endangering elephant populations across the world.
The second thing to positively swerve are any experiences that encourage elephant riding or human interactions with elephants. This includes elephant washing.
Responsible tourism: the issues surrounding elephant riding
Elephant riding is probably something that is easier to view as a no-no. Elephants are not intended to carry passengers and saddles and this can result in spinal injuries. When not being ridden, these magnificent creatures are often tied down with chains – a practice that leads to foot infections, as they stand in their own waste product.
Photo by Chris Tweten on Unsplash
Nevertheless, elephant washing should be viewed just as dimly, even if it is presented as being an activity provided by an ‘elephant sanctuary’. There has been a big upswing in the number of elephant washing venues in Thailand in recent years and this masks a terrible practice deployed by the operators of these centres. This is called ‘the crush’ – separating young elephants from their mothers to ‘tame’ them and bring them under human control.
Avoid interactions with elephants
Elephants are not naturally inclined to interact with humans and any attempt to make them do so has to signal that abuse of some kind taking place. It is also a huge risk for humans to be in such close proximity with elephants and a safe distance should always be maintained. A Spanish tourist actually lost her life at an elephant care centre in Thailand earlier this year, engaging in activities that are neither safe nor ethical but which can be presented as ‘caring’. This is not responsible tourism.
Even on safari holidays, it can be dangerous to come too close to elephants, as we highlighted here.
You should also note that, if you intend working at a centre that is home to elephants, a Europesure Travel Insurance policy will not provide any cover. The same is true if working with other wild animals with which, under natural and normal circumstances, it is dangerous to have contact.
There are, nevertheless, places that you can visit overseas which are ethical and do actually provide sanctuary to elephants. It is just vital that you reassure yourself that they are on an approved list and not masquerading as places with elephant welfare at their heart.
If you believe in responsible tourism and wish to check on a particular venue, this is a good starting point.
Positive elements to seek out
You can also use a few responsible tourism checks of your own. Any ethical elephant centre should not bring you up close to elephants, which should have their own roaming and foraging space and a fair distance between themselves and humans. There should be no activities that encourage human interaction and no offers of rides or washing.
You should check that elephants appear to be behaving in a natural way. If there are young elephants present, alarm bells should ring, as true elephant-friendly venues do not allow captive breeding to take place. Only an elephant orphanage would have young elephants present.
Also examine whether activities are focused on education and conservation. If they are, it is a good indication that the centre is ethical and trying to do the right thing for its elephants.
Stay ethical and protected
Elephants are much-loved by many people – something that those seeking to exploit them will play upon, particularly when it can be presented as part of a unique tourism experience. Be alert to this on this National Elephant Appreciation Day and every other day of the year.
For travel insurance protection for your ethical and responsible tourism travel-time activities, head to our single trip or annual policy pages and choose the level of cover that suits you.
[i] https://www.worldwildlife.org/projects/reducing-elephant-ivory-demand-among-travelers
