Last Saturday, a family visited the Kruger National Park, the largest in South Africa and habitual destination of safaris Tourist The children, aged 5 and 11, approached to photograph an elephant and the animal began to show an aggressive attitude, so the little ones ran away. The elder fell in the middle of the race and his 59 -year -old grandfather intervened to protect him. The pachidermo trampled him until he caused death. A few months ago, in July 2024, a Spanish tourist starred in a similar case also in South Africa. This time it was in the Pilanesberg National Park, where 43 -year -old man lost his life after getting out of his vehicle to photograph a herd of elephants with young, ignoring warnings. Less than a month ago, another Spanish, Blanca Ojanguren, 22, died in Thailand during a “bathroom with elephants” in an alleged sanctuary that operated without a license on the island of Yao Yai.
These tragic incidents call into question the interactions with large animals that are promoted as a tourist claim, and revive the recurring debate on the safety of travelers and animal welfare in this type of activities. Find a selfie with an imposing mammal, replicate experiences that Influencers They show on social networks or simply approach wildlife: in destinations such as Thailand and Southern Africa, these experiences have acquired enormous popularity. However, experts warn, behind the idyllic image of the bathrooms with elephants or the close encounters in safaris real real risks, both for tourists and for animals themselves.
Organizations like World Animal Protection (WAP) They denounce that for elephants to accept interactions with tourists they are subjected to traumatic training from young, which include forced separations from their mothers, deprivations and, in some cases, physical abuse. The most traditional method of ‘domestication’ is Phajaan o Crushing, which consists of making babies elephants hungry, remain locked and punished until they “break” their natural instincts. This system is denounced by different organizations for animal abuse.
The elephant is one of the most intelligent animals in the world, which is promoted by a strong desire to travel and explore, they explain in the WAP. However, in the entertainment industry they usually remain chained in small spaces, which causes them extreme stress and abnormal behaviors. “All tourist attractions that allow you to touch or take a photo next to a wild animal are benefiting from cruelty,” they warn.
Torture and dangers
Cristina Palacio, co -director of the Thai sanctuary Kindred Spirit – in which it is not allowed to touch the animals -, it refers in particular to an activity that is gaining popularity among tourists: the bathrooms with pachyderms. He maintains that constant contact can damage the skin of animals, especially if inappropriate products are used or if water is in poor condition, which increases the probabilities of infections for both elephants and humans. In addition, he adds that being exposed to large groups of people generates great stress and that forced positions can cause muscle and joint injuries.
Not to mention the risks for tourists. They are large and strength animals and, although they seem calmly, they can react aggressively if they feel threatened. As much as the agents organizing photographic safaris are regulated and the rangers trained to guarantee a safe experience, the recommendations are not always followed by visitors. “Many times tourists put themselves in danger by making gestures or movements that elephants interpret as a threat alert,” says a spokeswoman for the Franz Weber Foundationcreated in 1975 to defend animal rights.
The problem behind the “Sanctuary” label
Many of these tourist experiences are carried out in centers that are presented as ‘sanctuaries’, although, in reality, their true purpose can be very different. The Global Federation of Animal Sanctuaries (GFAS) It defines a sanctuary as a place that offers safe refuge to animals, in a non -exploiting environment and with ethical policies about excursions and commerce, among other aspects. In addition, the Foundation for advice and action in defense of animals (Faada) Add an important detail: they should not allow shows or interactions with animals, such as feeding them or bathing them.
Despite these clear definitions, the term ‘sanctuary’ is not officially regulated, which allows centers with questionable practices to use it as a strategy to attract tourists, especially in Asian countries. In fact, the GFAS points out that in Thailand there is no accredited sanctuary. The standards imposed by the organization are more oriented to Western cultures and its implementation in Thailand can be a challenge, since this country has a unique relationship with elephants, deeply rooted in its history, culture and economy.
To understand the situation, you have to understand the context. In Thailand, elephants have historically used as a work tool. Although the prohibition of its use in work such as logging in the late 1980s marked a change, this gave way to its exploitation in the tourist field. Activities such as walks, shows and direct interaction with these animals by travelers became common. In South Africa, although there is no similar tradition of domestication for work, many of these animals are being used in the tourism industry.
A bleak future
The future of these practices is marked by worrying figures. According to organization data Elephantvoicesin the world there are between 15,000 and 20,000 elephants in captivity. Thailand is the epicenter of tourism with elephants, and the visit to centers that maintain these animals in captivity has become one of the most popular activities, according to the Tourist Authority of Thailand. With more than 4,000 species in captivity, the country houses the largest number of elephants used for tourism worldwide.
In South Africa the situation is not so bleak, experts explain, but it is still worrying. There are more than 200,000 elephants, most of which live in the wild within national parks and private reserves, such as the Kruger Park. However, there are also elephants in captivity, mainly in conservation centers and false sanctuaries.
Eugenio Fernández Suárez, veterinarian specialized in animals in captivity and known on Instagram as @Capithecushe points out that the responsibility for whether or not these activities be offered fall on us. “Our purchasing power is enormous in these countries and tourist experiences will be based on what we demand as visitors,” says the veterinarian.
In addition, he mentions another problem: the dissemination of these experiences in social networks has generated a “effect called” that normalizes these practices. According to Fernández Suárez, this phenomenon contributes to more tourists looking for similar experiences without being aware of the risks they imply. The images and videos that show the pachyderms making tricks or interacting with tourists can give a false sense of security.
Eradicating these practices is not a simple task. The collaboration between governments, NGOs and private sectors is key, but it is also necessary that this collaboration is based on mutual respect and understanding, seeking solutions adapted to local realities. In addition, it is important that all, both foreigners and local, are well informed, concludes Palacio.
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