I personally don’t agree with elephant riding or them being ‘hooked’ to behave for the visiting tourists. Sadly, I have witnessed this is the past, so I like to do my research before any visit.
The Elephant Valley Thailand (EVT) in Chiang Rai has a 10 year mission to get elephants living back in the wild. They have vast experience from their sanctuary in Cambodia. There are currently six elephants in their 40 acre site. Maddy, Lou, Claire, Jay, Ka Moon and Thong Inn all have their own personalities. Thong Inn is the only bull. You can read thier background and progress to date on the EVT website.
Two of the elephants were rescued and gifted to EVT from a closed elephant tourist attraction in Chiang Mai. Here they had been left chained for 12 months since its closure. The other four came from an illegal logging site, which they lease from the owner.
An elephant in Thailand fetches around £30,000. EVT won’t purchase elephants outright, as they believe this could encourage further elephant captures/sales that would be detrimental.
The team work to heal the elephants physically, mentally and behaviourally and basically teach them how to be elephants. They keep interactions to a minimum so elephants can be elephants. However, you are allowed to help feed them their daily allowance of bananas and banana trees.
Café was a great, knowledgeable guide. And John, who is currently looking after the centre, came to greet us on arrival and shared some of his experiences with us. The site is wonderfully maintained and tranquil. A half day including a superb lunch, refreshments and transport is £28. Other experience details and costs can be found on the Elephant Valley Thailand website. Homestays are also available.
I hope EVT’s hard work and dedication pay off over the coming years.
The video will give you a taster of my visit.
