Dreaming of hanging with elephants? Here's why you should #washnotride
/If you're planning a trip to Thailand, chances are spending time with some elephants is on your itinerary.
Maybe you're even considering riding an elephant - I mean, your friend posted such awesome selfies on Instagram on top of an elephant, so total #bucketlist, right?
But the same elephants you want to ride are frequently illegally captured, traded, and tortured from the time they are young in order for prepare them for exploitation.
In fact, Asian Elephants are an endangered species, with approximately only 2000 wild elephants left in Thailand.
Now, this doesn't mean you can't have fun with some elephants while you're in Thailand!
The ethical, sustainable alternative to riding elephants is heading to an elephant sanctuary, such as Elephant Jungle Sanctuary in Chiang Mai and Phuket.
Here, you can bathe, feed, and learn about elephants that were previously exploited and abused in an environment where they are truly loved. In fact, all profits from these sanctuaries go to caring for the elephants!
So you get to play with elephants - and feel good about it, too!
Do your research when it comes to finding a place to spend the day with the elephants. Click here to read more about how the elephant jungle sanctuaries.