Comments on: Why You Should NOT Ride Elephants

By: Charlie Marchant

Charlie Marchant — Sun, 23 Apr 2017 15:23:41 +0000

In reply to emily.

Hi Emily,

We didn’t book any of our Vietnam accommodation online. We just turned up and found a room each time. There were few other tourists out in Yok Don and the only accommodation options are the stilt houses just down the road from the National Park, or some apartments within the gates of the National Park. The stilt houses are right next to the Visitor’s/Information Centre is where the elephants (not the ones protected by the National Park) are chained. I’m afraid I don’t know the name of the accommodation and I’m not sure it even had a name/sign at all.

By: emily

emily — Sun, 23 Apr 2017 12:43:30 +0000

Hi Charlie,

Grate post! Me and my boyfriend are in Vietnam at the moment and was wondering what the name of the stilt houses you staied in where please. They look amazing and would love to visit the national park but can’t find much online.

Many thanks,
Emily

By: Charlie Marchant

Charlie Marchant — Sat, 15 Apr 2017 11:07:46 +0000

In reply to Katie. Hi Katie, thanks for sharing this information. I didn't know this was the case and the activities might have changed since we were there. Definitely something everyone needs to research thoroughly before their trip.

By: Katie

Katie — Fri, 24 Mar 2017 12:39:06 +0000

Just wanted to let you know that I am pretty sure the Yok Don national park actually arranges elephant rides. Upon checking the trip advisor pictures you can see that guests either ride them through the park or mount them during ‘bath time’. Further, the animals in the park have chains on them. Quite sad really :(

https://www.tripadvisor.ca/Attraction_Review-g1633422-d2663594-Reviews-Yokdon_National_Park-Dak_Lak_Province.html

By: Charlie Marchant

Charlie Marchant — Mon, 26 Dec 2016 15:48:29 +0000

In reply to Ann. Hi Ann. Thanks for reading and it's really good to hear that you've researched the activity ahead of time so you could make an informed decision. It really is heartbreaking, and such a shame. At the National Park in Yok Don in Vietnam, you can do ethical elephant-related activities, such as elephant treks with the park rangers. It may be worth looking into that if you and your husband are interested. Enjoy your trip!

By: Ann

Ann — Mon, 26 Dec 2016 15:10:08 +0000

Thank you so much for your information and insight. My husband and I were planning on riding elephants in Vietnam, but after reading your post, there’s absolutely no chance we’ll do that. It’s heartbreaking to hear of their treatment. Thank you again for sharing.

By: Charlie on Travel

Charlie on Travel — Mon, 22 Feb 2016 16:59:27 +0000

In reply to Stephanie. Hi Stephanie - It is sad, but I'm really glad that you read this before your trip to Vietnam. The best thing we can do is talk about it to people we know, share articles about it on social media and make the decision to only be involved with responsible animal/wildlife tourism.

By: Stephanie

Stephanie — Mon, 22 Feb 2016 16:49:22 +0000

This is so sad! I’m leaving to Vietnam next week, is there anything we can do to bring awareness of the mistreatment of this poor beautiful animals ?

By: Charlie on Travel

Charlie on Travel — Sat, 05 Sep 2015 10:18:01 +0000

In reply to jan. Hi Jan, This post of course doesn't only apply to Vietnam but unethical practises that happen in countries across Asia, including Thailand. It's worth remembering that elephants and horses are very different animals and their bodies aren't structured in the same way. The following quote is from an article on elephant trekking holidays that I would recommend reading over:

"Sitting on an elephant’s back, rather than their neck, causes physical harm to the elephant. They may be enormous, but they have not been bred to be ridden. Their spine is damaged, their growth stunted, and internal organs may be affected. The chairs used to carry tourists add yet more weight, causing more spinal pressure and sores."

My feelings on any animal related tourism are that the animals shouldn't be doing anything that is not natural to them. Of course elephants love to play and splash around in the river, for example, as they would do in the wild. Painting and football? These are not things which elephants would do in the wild. There's an informative article on Right Tourism's website, a charity supporting humane tourism, with more info.

By: jan

jan — Tue, 01 Sep 2015 23:10:51 +0000

I would be the first to stand up for any animal. Elephants are beautiful creatures. However, when I was in Chang Mai Thialand we went to an Elephant camp and spent all afternoon. Elephants walked free on the property, looked healthy and alert. I fed them bananas and yes I rode one. The chairs on their back were heavily padded as to protect their skin. The mahutes who handle the elephants have a caring relationship which you can see from both sides, the elephants show such affection. I can’t imagine us riding them is a terrible thing, we ride horses with saddles which is acceptable. It becomes unacceptable when any animal has pain inflicted or any kind of disrespect. These elephants also played games such as soccer and it was fun to watch because you can see they enjoy it. It’s exercise, it’s play just like we do with any of our animals, they need this interaction. They also paint which was amazing. We watched them in the river rolling in the water, again playing, interacting with their mahutes. It was a wonderful experience because you knew they were cared for and protected. Elephants in countries where they are scarred, starving and forced is what’s disgusting and if that’s the case in Vietnam, such as it is in India, I’d want no part of it and it would be greatly disturbing. I’d like to save every mistreated animal but you also have to respect those that truly love these animals.