I’m sure you feel the same way as many others. You are fascinated by the feats the elephants perform, you admire the great paintings and, in the end, almost everyone has dreamed of a ride on an elephant. Only what is behind it remains hidden, nobody can imagine it
Elephant tourism - a look behind the scenes
Phajaan - this is how the elephant's spirit is broken
Riding an elephant is a dream for many people – but the elephants live a nightmare for the rest of their lives.
Painting on command, driving a scooter, playing ball, dancing – just to name a few of the quasi-amusing demonstrations, no elephant volunteers (neither does other animals, of course). He only shows these tricks with fear of torture and pain, fear of the bullhook – the notorious iron hook or anchor.
Elephants cannot be domesticated. To be able to train them, you have to brutally break their SPIRIT, their will. The elephants are snatched from their mothers and aunts when they are babies and subjected to the extremely cruel procedure known as Phajaan. Many babies do not survive this barbery.
Religious traditions and ceremonies are also no reason to torture these wonderful animals for hours on end.
Beautifully decorated wooden or other substitute constructions could also be used and would attract far more interested people.
But outside of Asia, too, the gray giants suffer abuse and slavery during numerous circus appearances, shows, etc. Where – as everywhere – the bullhook or iron hook is a constant companion. One look into the eyes of the tormented animals is enough to see what these maltreated souls are suffering