Ethical elephant tourism in Asia

Few animals have been subjected to as much lifelong abuse and cruelty as the Asian elephant. Ripped away from their mothers in the wild when very young, they are first subjected to brutal training to literally ‘break their spirit’, then forced to spend the rest of their lives enslaved and abused.

This is the reality behind every elephant ride, every elephant performance, every interaction with humans that tourists buy into – the elephant has been trained through pain and coercion to be compliant with these unnatural behaviours.

For decades, elephant riding, circus-style performances, painting demonstrations, and bathing with elephants have been promoted as wonderful holiday experiences. But today we are much better informed and know about the horrific cruelty and abuse at the heart of these activities.

At the same time, we’ve been learning more about the effects of captivity on elephants, and studies on elephants in zoos have opened a window on the extent of their suffering and the psychological trauma, neurological brain damage, and emotional suffering they’re forced to endure.

Read: The neural cruelty of captivity: Keeping large mammals in zoos and aquariums damages their brains

For elephants in Asia, the psychological and emotional trauma of captivity seen in zoo elephants is compounded by restraint in chains and brutal physical torture: control through instruments of pain, wounding, disfigurement, breakage of bones, blindness, and mutilation.

The good news is that things are changing, as people become increasingly aware of the cruelty behind the experiences offered in animal tourism. By opting for ethical establishments, travellers are sending the message to camp owners that they’ll no longer support places that don’t meet high ethical standards. In Thailand, this has led to more camps switching to the no-contact, observation-only model – clear progress in the right direction, and one brought about by travellers’ choices.

But just because a place calls itself an ethical sanctuary it doesn’t mean it is – some have simply rebranded themselves as ‘sanctuaries’ while continuing to keep elephants chained for long periods, forcing close interactions with visitors, or breeding elephants for the tourism industry. These establishments use social media, AI, fake pictures, and fake reviews to portray the facility as ethical – all standard tools now for greenwashing and duping the public.  But there are many signs to look for that will tell you if it’s a genuine sanctuary.

How can you tell if an elephant sanctuary is ethical?

The first question to ask is: does this experience prioritise the welfare of the elephants or is it for the benefit of tourists?

Genuine sanctuaries exist to provide lifelong care for rescued animals, not for human entertainment or profit. The welfare of the elephants is paramount.

The increase in greenwashing (the practice of trying to dupe the public with fake claims about being ecofriendly, ethical, and so on) makes it more essential than ever to research any establishment before booking. Read independent reviews from previous visitors, look beyond the marketing material, and ask questions about how the elephants are managed.

Look for these signs to spot a genuinely ethical sanctuary:

• Zero hands-on contact: a strict policy of ‘look but don’t touch’ is the biggest indicator of an ethical sanctuary. If a facility allows you to pet, ride, bathe, or hold wild and exotic animals, it is an exploitative business, not a sanctuary.
• No breeding or sales: true sanctuaries do not breed animals in captivity, nor do they buy, sell, or trade them. Be suspicious if a facility has baby animals, as this is often used as a tourist draw.
• Observation not performance: animals should not be forced to perform tricks, paint, pose for photos, or any unnatural activity for human entertainment.  Remember that any elephant or other animal coerced into these activities will have been subjected to tortuous training. Their daily routines should be dictated by their own natural behaviours and choices.
• Education focus: the facility should prioritise educating the public about the realities of wildlife trafficking, rescue, and rehabilitation, rather than just offering entertainment.
• Check for accreditation:  Legitimate facilities hold third-party accreditations from organisations like the Global Federation of Animal Sanctuaries (GFAS) or the American Sanctuary Association.

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Why your travel decisions matter

They not only matter – they’re vital to humane progress in animal tourism.

As long as tourists keep riding elephants, or going to camps that force their elephants to perform for tourists, the suffering and torture will continue. More elephants will be stolen from their mothers and forced to undergo brutal training.

But things are changing and progress is being made in the spread of humane principles in the care of captive elephants – and it’s travellers’ choices that are driving this change. By rejecting unethical camps and fake sanctuaries, travellers are sending a clear message to owners of elephant camps – change, or visitors will stop coming. There are alternative ways for elephant owners to derive income from elephants other than a hands-on approach, and it’s hoped that more and more of them will convert to the observation-only approach for visitors.

Elephant Nature Park, Thailand

In the forefront of ethical sanctuaries, and recognised globally as a model sanctuary for elephant rescue and rehabilitation, is Elephant Nature Park in Chiang Mai, Thailand, founded by Saengduean ‘Lek’ Chailert. It strictly prohibits riding,  performing, bathing, or any hands-on contact with the elephants. Its guiding philosophy is ‘Let elephants be elephants’ – the purpose of sanctuary is to allow them to live with dignity and in accordance with nature.

ENP has rescued hundreds of elephants from logging, riding camps, street begging and other abusive exploitation, and given them back their stolen lives – not only freeing them forever from chains and cruelty but giving them the chance to behave as elephants for the first time and, most importantly, to bond with other elephants and form new families.

As well as driving and inspiring change for captive elephant care in Thailand, Cambodia, and Laos, and supporting multiple ‘saddle-off’ projects, Lek also takes her advocacy abroad, including in 2026 to Nepal and Laos, which both saw formal agreements and government rulings for bettering elephant welfare thanks to her efforts.

 

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Small ethical sanctuaries are making a difference – and need your support!

ENP supports many small, ethically run projects around Chiang Mai which welcome visitors. These family-run sanctuaries often care for just a handful of rescued elephants. Visitors may spend the day quietly walking behind an elephant family as they forage naturally in the forest, observing their behaviour up close without disturbing them. Other activities generally include helping to prepare food for the elephants, learning about elephant welfare from local caretakers, and enjoying traditional Thai meals prepared by the hosts.

 

These experiences offer the most moving, authentic, and unforgettable elephant encounters. But running a genuinely ethical sanctuary is expensive – food, veterinary treatment, land, and staff all require substantial resources. Many of these smaller establishments depend on  tourism income to survive. Every visitor who chooses one of these projects – and recommends it to others – is actively heping to ensure its future and success.

Click here to learn more about the ‘saddle-off’ projects around Chiang Mai and to book your visit!

 

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You can also get involved by volunteering on-site in Thailand or Cambodia, sponsoring an elephant at the sanctuary, or directly contributing to ENP in their fight to save the Asian elephant and provide them with the life of freedom they deserve.

Rehabilitation – The Bridge Between Trauma & Peace For Rescued Elephants

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‘The day we rescued these elephants, the sight of them broke our hearts. Their eyes reflected fear, sadness, and the long suffering they had endured. … Today, we look at these happy elephants and feel an overwhelming joy. To witness their transformation – to see them free, playful, and full of life fills our hearts with hope and healing. The joy in their eyes, the trumpet calls echoing through the fields, the gentle rumbles of contentment they remind us why we do what we do.

Their happiness is the greatest gift we could receive. At Elephant Nature Park, this is what freedom looks like. This is what dignity means. This is the life we dreamed of for them, a life where elephants can be elephants, just as nature intended.’
Lek Chailert, Elephant Nature Park