For farming communities in East Africa, elephants pose a danger to survival. Consuming up to 1,000 lbs of food a day, they destroy farmers crops in hours, cause injury and even death. While poaching is publicized, it is actually the human-animal conflict that poses the greatest threat to the species survival.
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This elephant is one of the many forced into long days of multiple rides for visitors in Thailand. UweBKK. CC BY-NC-SA 2.0.
The Dark Side of Elephant Rides
Most of us have had the opportunity to marvel at the world’s most gentle giants, elephants, whether in a zoo, at a circus, or maybe even on a safari. These animals are often used for human entertainment, but at what cost? For the elephants forced to carry humans for hours at a time, the cost may be their lives.
Elephant riding, a practice popular in places like Thailand, has become a regular bucket list item with influencers sparking inspiration atop the majestic animals. While it may seem that these animals are physically equipped, their bodies are simply not meant for such long hauls. In addition, the inadequate living conditions and harsh treatments they are subjected to are all the more reason to refuse elephant rides.
Their mistreatment starts with “phajaan,” or elephant crushing. This training method consists of taking the elephants from their mothers and confining them in a small space. When they are in captivity, they are beaten to submission with bullhooks and nail-spiked bamboo sticks. In combination with the physical abuse they have to endure, elephants are also deprived of sleep and food, then chained when they are not giving rides. By participating in elephant tours, one may unknowingly contribute to this brutal cycle of abuse.
Elephant in chains. Invisible Lens Photography. CC BY-NC-SA 2.0.
This physical abuse also leads to health complications for the elephants. Their bodies are weakened by the trauma, and the hundreds of pounds placed on the center of their spines often leads to permanent spinal injuries. Not only is the human weight an unnatural stress, but the chair, or “howdah,” attached to their backs can rub against their skin, causing open wounds that get infected. It is apparent that the consequences of elephant riding are incredibly harmful.
Some organizations have begun taking steps to remedy this issue. People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals and World Animal Protection created mass media campaigns denouncing elephant riding that have gained significant traction. These campaigns showed graphic images of elephants as young as 18 to 24 months old being chained up and beaten with bullhooks: a small glimpse into these animals’ harsh realities. Tour operators like STA Travel, TUI Group, G Adventures and Intrepid Travel have also contributed to ensuring animal safety with their elimination of most elephant activities.
Even though elephant riding may seem fun, the unethical practices behind it must be resolved in order to keep this endangered species alive and treated well.
Renee Richardson
Renee is currently an English student at The University of Georgia. She lives in Ellijay, Georgia, a small mountain town in the middle of Appalachia. A passionate writer, she is inspired often by her hikes along the Appalachian trail and her efforts to fight for equality across all spectrums. She hopes to further her passion as a writer into a flourishing career that positively impacts others.
Zimbabwe’s Mining Ban: A Potential Empty Promise?
The government of Zimbabwe now bans mining in its national parks, but environmentalists argue that the prohibition is hardly adequate.
An elephant at a watering hole in Zimbabwe’s Hwange National Park. BARMCD. CC BY-NC 2.0.
After mounting pressure from conservationists, Zimbabwe’s government has declared a mining ban in the country’s national parks. Reports have circulated that Chinese companies are scouting out coal mining sites in Hwange National Park, Zimbabwe’s largest national reserve. The park stretches over nearly 6,000 square miles and is home to about 50,000 of Zimbabwe’s estimated 86,000 elephants. Extensive conservation projects are conducted in the region to preserve its plethora of wildlife species, but the call to protect the elephant population has drawn the most intense focus.
The government’s new ban is the result of a case brought to the country’s High Court by the Zimbabwe Environmental Lawyers Association. The group argues that mining would destabilize the park’s biodiversity while injuring the fragile ecotourism sector. This case was first brought to the High Court after officials of Afrochine Energy and Zimbabwe Zhongxin Coal Mining Group were arrested for conducting illegal mining projects only to be released with special permission by Zimbabwe’s President. Outrage immediately ensued, and conservationists rode the wave of anger to action.
The immense pressure on the government to implement change follows months of anger by environmentalists claiming that Chinese mining companies have already caused catastrophic damage in other regions of Zimbabwe. Environmentalists explain that the companies dump toxic waste, clogging precious dams and resulting in substantial drops in local wildlife populations. Locals also resent the presence of Chinese mining companies due to diminishing livestock populations and disrupted irrigation routes.
Environmental groups also argue that mining will perpetuate the drought and overcrowding problems that have already killed hundreds of elephants. Local residents deal with regular poaching disputes and rely heavily on income from ecotourism; so, many fear that failure to hold off Chinese mining companies could cause economic damage and increased levels of conflict. Furthermore, many Zimbabweans believe that mining in Hwange is only one piece of the bigger picture. Gold and diamond mining sites pepper other parts of the nation, causing equal degrees of environmental destruction to the over 1,000 species of animals that roam the country.
Tusks removed from a poached elephant. Sokwanele. CC BY-NC-SA 2.0.
For now, it seems that the government of Zimbabwe has yielded to the demands of conservation groups, but environmentalists appear far from satisfied. The government says that it is canceling current mining titles, but conservationists are doubtful that this is enough. Shamiso Mtisi, deputy director of the Zimbabwe Environmental Lawyers Association, states that the group is demanding an interdict, which is a legally binding prohibition. Pressure on the government to act quickly increased significantly in the past week as 11 young elephants died due to an unknown bacterial infection. Investigations are now proceeding to determine the cause of the elephants’ deaths, and whether poisoning may be linked to nearby mining activity.
Although the High Court’s verdict is already known, but whether or not Zimbabwe’s government will take the necessary steps to save the country’s natural and economic resources remains a mystery.
Ella Nguyen
is an undergraduate student at Vassar College pursuing a degree in Hispanic Studies. She wants to assist in the field of immigration law and hopes to utilize Spanish in her future projects. In her free time she enjoys cooking, writing poetry, and learning about cosmetics.