Treats Instead of Cruelty: Phuket’s Elephant Rehabilitation Center Hosts «Elephant Care Day»
Phuket, October 15. The elephant rehabilitation center in Phuket hosted an event called «Elephant Care Day.» Instead of elephant rides, guests were offered an alternative—feeding the animals bananas. Visitors also helped the staff bathe the elephants to help them cope better with the heat.
«The attitude toward elephants in Thailand has changed since the pandemic, ” said veterinarian Min Kant of the center. „Most farms have stopped offering rides; people have started to view the coronavirus as a punishment for mistreating animals. Now, visitors come to centers like this to interact with and help the elephants.“
The elephant is one of Thailand’s most significant symbols. For centuries, these animals were used in wars and for heavy labor, but today they have become a major tourist attraction. However, elephant riding causes serious harm to their health—the animal’s spine is not adapted to such loads. This is precisely why rehabilitation centers offer guests safe ways to spend time with the animals.
