In late 1994, 'Siam Safari Nature Tours' pioneered the concept offering visitors to the island an opportunity to ride on an elephant on their property in the hills overlooking Chalong Bay. Regulated and controlled properly 'elephant trekking' can offer a much-needed lift to the tourism industry, and generate the funds to assure the survival of thousands of elephants in a dignified manner.
Unfortunately, the opposite is equally possible in the current uncontrolled rush to 'cash in' on this latest business opportunity. As the number of new elephant camps increase so do the reports of overworked and abused elephants. Informed visitors who demand humane treatment for the elephants may be the last best chance to save many of these majestic creatures.The unpleasant reality is the natural habitat of the Asian Elephant has diminished to the point that only an estimated 2,000 survive in the wild. A number not generally believed large enough to maintain the essential genetic-diversity to ensure the survival of the species in the wild. Traditionally domesticated elephants were used as transport, and in the logging industry moving cut timber. All logging was officially banned in Thailand in 1989. Elephants that had been employed to move logs in the forest became unemployed, that is why they can now be seen in Bangkok and tourist areas literally 'begging' for a living. It costs approximately US$500 per month to feed and care for an elephant in captivity. In the modern world elephants have an almost human-like problem of needing to be gainfully employed in order to survive. With the survival of these majestic and highly intelligent creatures increasingly in doubt. It is more important than ever for visitors to understand they have the power to make a positive difference. Informed visitors to Thailand can support the humane treatment of these gracious beasts by carefully selecting the elephant camp they visit. As with any high growth industry 'elephant trekking' is subject to abuse.
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