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Elephant riding is not tourism with a conscience

The article, “Riding out of Chiang Mai” (April 2) in TODAY’s travel section conveys that riding elephants that ferry tourists in the morning and roam freely for the rest of the day is “tourism with a conscience”.

The article, “Riding out of Chiang Mai” (April 2) in TODAY’s travel section conveys that riding elephants that ferry tourists in the morning and roam freely for the rest of the day is “tourism with a conscience”.

On the contrary, elephant riding is the antithesis of responsible tourism, regardless of the elephants’ working hours.

Riding on an elephant’s back causes injuries to the animal because its spine cannot repeatedly support the weight of tourists plus the bench tied to its back. The shifting of the bench during riding also causes abrasion on the elephant.

The spot to sit is on an elephant’s neck, where a mahout would sit. Further, elephants are tamed before they can be ridden. Separated from their mothers, baby elephants undergo a taming process designed to crush their spirits into submission.

Responsible tourism promotes healthy, respectful interaction between elephants and tourists, and allows the latter to see elephants as the intelligent, social creatures that they are.

Tourists can participate in elephant care activities such as feeding, bathing and observation and get to know the majestic creatures.

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