On July 19, a tourist was seriously injured after being gored by an elephant at Ban Don tourist area (Dak Lak). Previously, on May 22, an elephant rider was also gored to death by a domesticated elephant while taking the elephant for a bath. After the two incidents above, the representative of the management and exploitation company of Ban Don tourist area announced the temporary suspension of elephant riding experience tours from July 24, 2020.
Elephants quietly wait their turn to carry passengers.
Animals Asia in Vietnam has previously issued warnings about this form of tourism. Elephants being confined and mistreated for a long time will eventually make them feel inhibited and develop their latent wild aggressive nature.
In the world today, most countries are gradually moving towards eliminating elephant riding tours. Instead, they organize more friendly activities such as: cycling to see the forest and visit elephants, bathing elephants, taking pictures with elephants, etc.
Tourists experience eco-friendly tourism without riding elephants
Elephant riding tourism is not actually a part of the local culture, it only satisfies the purpose of a certain group of people. It is time to stop these inhumane tours, to protect people and the elephants themselves.
