History repeated itself when the Covid-19 pandemic devastated the tourism industry. When elephant parks were closed, many mahouts took their elephants home. Some tried to cope by starting elephant shows online.
Although many tourists enjoy interacting with elephants, many today believe that the use of hooks and chains by mahouts is compromising the elephants' health.
Taweepoke Ankawanish, Chief Veterinarian and Head of Elephant Conservation at the Thai Elephant Conservation Center, said, “The saying 'elephants and humans care for each other' is true in Thai society because domesticated animals… If an elephant had a job, he would not become a beggar.” .
Elephants can stimulate or influence tourism
Elephant training is rarely provided to the general public, but most people believe that elephants must be trained before they can be used in the tourism sector.
Saengduean Chailert, founder and chairman of the Save Elephant Foundation, pointed out that mahouts often separate baby elephants from their mothers at an early age.
If breastfeeding is inadequate, baby elephants may be at risk for their physical and mental health, especially for elephant endotheliotropic herpesvirus infections. As a result, eight to nine baby elephants die every year.
Animal welfare and revenue generation
Senduan called on the government to recognize that violence against elephants and other animals in the tourism industry can affect the country's image.
“While some tourists may enjoy interacting with elephants, those who are animal welfare conscious will be dissatisfied and argue that Thailand is not paying attention to ensuring animal welfare. ”, adding that this is a sensitive issue in other countries.
She also advised mahouts to set working hours, provide them with enough food, provide medical treatment if they become unwell, and avoid living in fear.
“For example, a tourist may only take a bath with an elephant for an hour, but pachyderms often do this all day. , we need to look at whether it affects mental health,” she says.
The line between violence and goodwill
Taweepoke said that depending on the mahout's actions, the training could be seen as violence against domestic elephants or as a gesture of goodwill.
“If the mahout is unable to control the elephant, the elephant can cause damage to life and property. However, if the mahout uses the hook or chain inappropriately, the training could reflect animal abuse. “There is also,” he said.
Mr Taweepoke confirmed that Thai mahouts use equipment on elephants carefully and carefully to prevent any negative impact on Thailand's tourism industry.
“The hook is used when the elephant does not comply,” he explained. “It's similar to police officers carrying guns to fight crime, but they don't always use them.”
He further explained that mahouts use chains based on the elephant's size and time of day to ensure that it does not interfere with the elephant's health, such as sleeping or moving. He said mahouts prefer to use ropes on baby elephants during the day and switch to chains at night.
Learning course for mahouts
The Thai Elephant Conservation Center works with relevant agencies to set standards for the training of domestic elephants and to provide knowledge on how to properly train large mammals.
There are four courses that provide technical expertise in elephant care, covering observing elephant behavior, providing treatment, and how to use elephants in tourism activities.
“If we want to protect elephants, we have to start with the mahouts,” he said.