Elephant riding tourism and elephant camps
Broken spirits behind every ride
In Vietnam and across Asia, elephants are used to entertain tourists. Their spirits are crushed with brutal training so they can be ridden, bathed or made to perform.
Many of these elephants live in poorly managed camps where they’re denied freedom, natural behaviours and companionship. They often suffer from physical injuries and emotional trauma – hidden behind the illusion of a ‘happy’ elephant.
The truth about elephant tourism
Elephant rides, bathing sessions and feeding encounters are often promoted as harmless, even ethical. Tourists are told that the elephants enjoy the experience, or that the activity helps with conservation.
But these claims often mask the reality.
Many elephants used in tourism:
- Spend hours each day carrying tourists on hard surfaces, in extreme heat
- Are kept chained when not performing, unable to move freely or socialise
- Suffer from foot problems, arthritis and painful hernias due to overwork
- Receive inadequate food, water, and veterinary care
These activities strip elephants of the chance to roam, forage and bathe naturally – essential behaviours for their welfare.
Trained through fear
Whether bred in captivity or stolen from the wild, most elephants are subjected to harsh training methods to make them ‘safe’ for tourists.
These include:
- Beatings with sharp sticks or bull hooks
- Forced separation from their mothers at a young age
- Long periods of isolation and restraint
- Performing repetitive, unnatural tricks under threat of pain
The goal is to ‘break their spirit’ and make them compliant. Even when handlers appear gentle in front of visitors, obedience is maintained through fear.
Physical and emotional scars
Captive elephants often display signs of long-term trauma. Many sway or rock – repetitive movements that are clear signs of psychological distress.
Common physical problems include:
- Chronic joint and foot disorders from walking on hard ground and standing still for hours
- Painful pressure sores from saddle straps
- Digestive and skin conditions due to poor diet, stress and inadequate bathing opportunities
Some elephants are literally worked to death.
A better future is possible
In Vietnam, Animals Asia is working with local partners to develop ethical alternatives – models of elephant-friendly tourism that respect and protect these magnificent animals.
At Yok Don National Park, visitors can observe former working elephants roaming the forest, bathing in rivers and foraging, from a respectful distance.
