Thailand Elephant Tourism: Cruel training of elephants is continuing in Thailand, even during Covid.
Thailand Elephant Tourism: Cruel training of elephants is continuing in Thailand, even during Covid.
"World Animal Protection has released footage filmed secretly at several camps at undisclosed locations between December 2018 and January 2020, showing distressed mothers and babies pulled apart, and the young elephants enduring isolation and physical and mental trauma."
"The videos capture what the charity said was three training teams breaking the spirit of elephants to wean them from mothers to make them submissive, and able to learn tricks like walking on hind legs, painting on a canvas and spinning hoops on trunks."
"Thailand's environment minister on Monday told Reuters animal cruelty would not be tolerated and if the footage was authentic, swift action would be taken against the perpetrators."
"The recordings feature eight elephants put through a four-step programme that the charity said was called "the crush", including making them hobble with chained legs, poking sensitive areas with bull-hooks or exposing them to busy highways."
"The footage shows what the group said was the ordeal of one mother elephant, Gintaala, who has been separated over time from each of her four calves in turn.trauma.""
--BY JUARAWEE KITTISILPA of US News & World Report
