Phuket Elephant Nature Reserve — Attraction in Si Sunthon

Ok, Yes these elephants were purchased from really bad environments and are now in a “better” one. However this does not make this place ETHICAL. The elephants are not allowed to roam free but only just follow their trainers commands. Also the trainers seem like they have no care or connection to the elephants and seem uninterested. You watch a video at the start saying how important it is for elephants to socialise. Yet they’re kept apart from each other and solely follow their trainers commands. We asked if the elephants spend time together to the guide and he said “not that much”. From what we saw probably never.

We were on the late tour from 3pm. Soon as all the tourists left, all the elephants were then returned to their “rooms” which were actually just very small open enclosures. And are probably kept there until 9am when tourists visit again. How “ethical”.

All in all yes, they have taken elephants from really bad situations and put them in a slightly better one. However calling it “ethical” is not correct. These elephants are still neglected and not allowed to roam free and be happy. Rather they have been forced into a routine that fits trainers and tourist wants. I personally would not spend money here again.

EDIT

Thank you for your response. You have made some good points. It seems a bit coincidental that soon as the tourists left all the elephants were returned to their “rooms” it all feels as if everything is done for the tourist spectacle.

Further after some research online it states that captive elephants sleep for around 4-6 hours a day. It does say that most of this sleep is at night. So can you clarify that they are not in their “rooms” between 5pm - 9am a total of 16hours and that most of that is them sleeping. When online it says they only sleep 4-6 hours a day. I understand the mahouts can’t be with them all day but could you figure out a different solution?

I understand for the elder elephants it might be hard for them to be re introduced to the wild. However the young elephant you saved that is now only 9 years old. Is there a possibility she could be trained for life in the wild and the end goal to release her to a protected area? Not sure if this is possible but I think this should be the end goal for...

I went alone to finally see elephant. after some research i thought this would be the best suited for ethical reason !

Upon arrival there is an introduction video giving more insights on elephant. you learn their history in Thailand how they were used by man. it also reminds us of their no touch policy and minimal interaction with the elephants.

the place has 5 elephants and during the 90min walk you meet them individually.

they seem to be in a good and wide place and the guide was genuinely nice and informative.

the first thing that did not seem right was the fact that they were isolated from each other. it was mentioned that they actually lived in groups in their natural habitat. at some points you would see 2 of them together.

secondly there are little to no barriers in the reserve which is great.

however the whole while that we were there, it seemed that they were psychologically trapped. they only moved according to their caretaker instructions. the elephants were instructed when to move to eat, to go in the mud or to remain in a designated area. It did not feel right even though they were not chained, given the elephants history of abuse it was still unfair that they did not have free will.

I was under the impression that it worked as a rescue center and that we would be only able to observe from a distance.

the proximity that you can have is a nice experience but feels like we were intruding a little.

The elephants are bought from their previous owners. it makes me think that the money used in a way support their exploitation of the previous owner.

Overall good experience may be more efforts and investment should be place for the infrastructure safer for visitor & elephants.

for visitor better to have viewpoints that is further from elephants so the latter do not have to be monitored at all time. for elephants more space so they can be in groups & socialise.

I am looking forward to may be eventual...

Before you go to this place, remember these were previously captive elephants, that have been rescued by this sanctuary.

No, they are not Free. Yes, they are paraded for tourists.

However, the Mahoots are not allowed to harm the animals in any way. what the elephants do is for reward only. Also, remember the elephants at this sanctuary could not be released into the wild as they have been working elephants for too long, were born into a life of working for humans and probably could not survive in the wild. What this place does is allow them some freedom of movement over a 20-acre site and importantly freedom from abuse. unfortunately yes they do a parade for the tourists, but without this, many tourists would not come here, resulting in no income generated for the care and protection that this sanctuary affords.

What I did like was the elephants can go off and while we were there 2 of them decided they had seen better food growing deeper in the sanctuary and off they went. I did ask about the size of the sanctuary being 20 acres, and it was explained that they would like to buy more land around the sanctuary but the land was expensive in this area and it would take time to get the money, additionally, this is why the number of elephants was limited to 3 or 4. unlike many of these elephant-based attractions, this place has evolved no more bathing with the elephants etc, you are limited to a few bananas, as an introduction then you walk near the elephant as it goes on its merry way, there are no chains or ropes tethering the animals and no sharp hooks used to control the animals (which I witnessed at some of the other elephant parks).

I won't lie, I do hate to see captive animals, but as I said 'it's this or being worked to death', I would much rather this. I do hope that if I ever go back I will see further improvements such as an increase to the sanctuary site. and less reliance...