Some days ago I bumped into a video showing a Thailandian elephant that can paint. It was truly something amazing to watch and I was so impressed that I shared it with my friends. The other day, though, I decided to investigate and see whether it was possible to find out how elephants could be taught how to paint.
I searched on YouTube and I found this horrible video about elephant training (read “torture”) in Thailand. I should warn you not to watch it if you are sensitive people, but I believe it’s a duty to check it out.
From the description of the video:
The traditional way in Thailand to train elephants is to break their spirit completely and totally so that they are mortally afraid of humans. The way this is done is with the “phaajaan.”
Baby elephants are captured, put into a pen that does not allow them to move side to side, forward, or sit, and then for 3-7 days everyone in the village takes turns breaking the animal using sticks with nails at the end, ropes and hot irons.
I also posted it on Current and if you want it to air on TV make sure you register to the site and vote for it. I believe we must do whatever we can to raise consciousness about this disgusting crime.
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Dave 08.29.08 at 1:15 AM
Thanks for posting this. The phaajaan is a horribly cruel tradition that must be stopped. Spreading the word like this can help. Tell all your friends, especially anyone going to Asia, NOT to pay to go trekking or to elephant camps, they use elephants who have been through this torture. Don’t give money to street beggars using elephants. The best thing they can do, if they want to experience elephants up close, is to visit or volunteer at the Elephant Nature Park near Chiang Mai, Thailand. At this sanctuary they are fighting to end the brutal traditions of the phaajaan and other forms of dominance training, and use only love and compassion, and never make their elephants perform or give rides.
Many people regret going on elephant rides, etc. after they come back only to find out exactly what their money supported. Please do some research about this subject BEFORE a vacation in Thailand. There are many videos of the Elephant Nature Park on YouTube. Use your money to support kindness, not cruelty. Thanks.
Dave (journeyman47 on YouTube)