After the experience of Ubon Ratchathani's zoo, ( Click here ) I was a little sceptical of what I might find at Thailand's elephant conservation reserve. However, my fears were washed away as soon as we arrived in the car park. The facilities are excellent, and it is obvious that the welfare of the resident elephants is paramount.
In the 1980's the Thai government ceased the wholesale destruction of the forest areas in northern Thailand, and elephants became redundant. They had been used for many years to break new ground to access more forests and clear them of felled trees by dragging logs to the nearest transport. Their numbers declined and many were kept as 'pets' in poor conditions. Their welfare was not looked after and cruelty became them. The Forest Industry Organisation set up the conservation centre to care for the sick animals, but also to promote an environment in which Thai people could continue to appreciate one of their national treasures. In 1992 a new centre was opened on the current site and included a hospital to care for the sick and abandoned animals.
Is it cruel to teach these animals tricks, and for whose benefit do they perform? Personally I think they are hugely intelligent and need stimulation rather than just let them sit around being bored stiff. You can usually tell by an animal's eyes if they do not enjoy their captivity, and these beasts seem to like being centre of attention and to be constantly pampered and cared for.
Just as we arrived, Sac spotted a Scolopendra crawlling on a ladies tee-shirt. He instantly made to broad sweeping motions with his hand over the poor ladies back. She thought somebody was attacking her. In fact she was right, but it was the Scolopendra who was the villian. These are giant centipedes and can bite hard making the poor victim sick with high fever for several days. She had a lucky escape. I found a video on YouTube if you want to see on on Thailand's less friendly inhabitants.
Scolopendra
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