Comments on: Why I Rode an Elephant but Will Never Do It Again

By: Amanda

Amanda — Wed, 28 Oct 2015 04:12:54 +0000

So sad. But an important conversation.

By: Laura Longwell

Laura Longwell — Sun, 18 Oct 2015 20:04:22 +0000

In reply to Federico. Every situation is different, but I think we need to be mindful any time there's a human interaction with animals. We should ask ourselves whether the entertainment or enjoyment we get from it is harmful to the animal or if the animal had to be harmed for the interaction to occur in the first place.

By: Federico

Federico — Wed, 14 Oct 2015 15:08:55 +0000

I hear you. I rode elephants in Thailand many years ago, at a time before the outcry of their treatment was well known. In retrospect I had fun, but would not do it again just in case. The elephants in out tour were not poked, but then who knows that would happen once we were gone.

By: Laura Longwell

Laura Longwell — Wed, 16 Sep 2015 05:15:25 +0000

In reply to Suzanne (PhilaTravelGirl). Definitely similar. A troubling experience overall that has made me think differently about all animal-related tourism.

By: Suzanne (PhilaTravelGirl)

Suzanne (PhilaTravelGirl) — Tue, 15 Sep 2015 22:04:41 +0000

Laura – I had a similiar experience in Zimbabwe and while I was looking forward to it, the elephants seemed sad with the routine of the tourists. Yes, I know that they were saved and relied on the tourists to be able to continue to roam free but I was torn with this cycle of servitude. I wanted to yell at them to break free and go to Botswana where there are a plethora of elephants.