Our visit to the Tiger Cave temple should be the last stop of our full day tour but we were brought instead to a rural area in the midst of a jungle, with the above structure.
There was some noise coming from another direction and i walked in out of curiosity; what the heck, there's an elephant and in such close proximity! I can literally touch it if i stretch out my hand.
Turned out a few of our tour mates had signed up for elephant trekking and this was the site for them. Well, the rest of us who didn't opt for it were told to wait and since i am already there; might as well take some photographs.
It was an elephant calf and that's the reason for such a young mahout to be assigned; in case you are unaware, 'domesticated' elephants stay with one mahout throughout their life unless either one passes away. Given the deep, emotional connection between the two, it was said you can feel the grief from the elephant when its mahout dies.
Coming back, i didn't opt for the elephant trekking activity as i am not supportive of such cruel exploitation of the world's largest land animal. I know it's contradictory given i am still eating my meat and eggs, i still watch animal shows but i am not a perfect person; i do what i think i could within my limits.
And animal cruelty is an issue i find disturbing. From the chains on the elephants' feet to the sharp metal hook held on by the mahout, they are so glaring; i can't imagine that those surrounding me didn't notice them.
Guess it's human nature; we always have the tendency to want to get close to animals and it's indeed amazing to see an animal that's trained to perform tricks! I don't have an issue; just wondering if there are better, more humane methods. However, people are running a business here and it's all about dollars and cents.
That's why i am hesitant to join such activity. I have heard of ethical sanctuaries where elephants roam about, they are not chained up, mahouts do not carry the hook, no riding on the elephants' back, no tricks etc. Maybe that kind of sanctuary would be my cup of tea even though i have also heard of business entities hiding under the disguise of such sanctuaries given their increased popularity.
Real ivory products??
Anyway, it's a short stopover and with the previous group returning from the trekking, it's time for us to take our leave. Guess i would have to do a more in-depth research on a reputable elephant sanctuary for a visit the next time i am in Krabi!
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