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HORRIFIC AND TERRIBLE TORTURE TO BABY ELEPHANTS IN TAILAND.
Of the 5,000 Asian elephants that currently inhabit Thailand, it is estimated that 3, 800 of these are in captivity. These elephants are dragged away from their mothers at a very young age, they are still suckling. Usually the Mother is killed because she will not permit her baby to be taken away from her and she will attack anyone who attempts it, of course the outcome of this could be death to any human in her path. If a mother elephant dies a baby will continue to suckle from her and will not move with the rest of the herd. The privately ‘owned’ elephants of Thailand are used to perform circus tricks and give rides to Thailand’s tourists. The way in which these creatures are ‘trained' is despicable. I urge you to read on. PETA (People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals) has uncovered evidence of the most horrific and deeply upsetting torture that these innocent little babies are being subjected to in the name of entertainment. Half of the babies that undergo this torture die. Others remain severely maimed, mentally and physically and are subjected to a life of beatings and terrible treatment. The ‘tradition’ of breaking in the elephants is known as Phaajaan’ which means ‘to break the love between two’. The little elephant is lured into the village with fruit. The villagers will act very friendly towards it and try to get it to trust them. After a while of doing this the villagers decide it is time to capture it. This is how they do it. The elephant is again lured with fruit but this time the villagers will slowly crowd around it and then two of them will throw a noose about its neck. After that ropes and steel cables will be wrapped around its legs and tail while the little elephant is beaten between its toe nails and on its truck, these parts are extremely sensitive. To add to this the villagers have sticks with nails in them which they insert into the elephants ear canals. You can imagine the poor elephants screams of agony. The little animal eventually collapses with exhaustion. While the elephant is down a man will sit on its back and push a blade in its head, in between the ears. The poor animal must suffer such great agony. But this is not all; when this is done a stick is inserted into the wound left by the blade. The elephant is then caged, still tied up and starved, with no water or sleep for days. The villagers continuously beat it day and night until they decided that the elephant will be submissive to them. If the elephant survives this abominable torture it will be beaten for the rest of its life to make sure it never ‘steps out of line’. Some elephants will eventually become so mentally and physically scarred they will turn on their Mahout and sometimes the tourists and trample them to death.
It was extremely difficult for me to write this but, as pointed out by my friend Mary Alice, nothing I have to do is as terrible as the things these elephants have to endure, thank you Mary A. PETA has obtained a video of Villagers in Thailand committing this terrible act and you can see it and the whole story here http://www.helpthaielephants.com You will be horrified and you will want to do something. You CAN do something to save these elephants form a life of torture and abuse at the hands of evil people and tourists who should and in most cases DO know better. Here is what PETA is asking us to do: PETA is urging the government of Thailand to immediately enact laws to prohibit the cruel treatment, confinement, and training of elephants and ban the use of elephants for commercial or entertainment purposes. The purpose of the laws is to protect these sensitive, intelligent, and highly endangered animals from future abuse. If passed and enforced by the government of Thailand, Phaajaan, as we know it today, would cease to exist. With the numbers of elephants in the world dwindling, Thailand should be a role model for other countries in establishing and promoting elephant protection at home and abroad. Tourists would flock to Thailand to observe herds of elephants from a distance roaming freely in sanctuaries instead of performing circus tricks on command. Please watch the video showing how these elephants are broken, and contact the following individuals to demand an end to this cruel, barbaric, and disgraceful practice that should have been stopped long ago: Prime Minister Pol. Lt. Col. Thaksin
Shinawatra A few minutes to write a letter or an e mail is not a waste of time in your life, think of how much and how long these animals suffer compared to the time it takes to write a few words. Remember: YOU CAN MAKE A DIFFERENCE, YOU HAVE A VOICE, USE IT WISELY! More News of Thailand elephants A recent survey of Asian markets by Save the Elephants, a Kenyan group, found that Thailand was by far the biggest ivory market in Southeast Asia. A legal loophole exists for the sale of ivory from domesticated Thai elephants. Their owner is allowed to sell their tusks to traders provided that the processed ivory is sold only in Thailand. Forestry officials say this loophole makes it difficult to it identify illegal ivory as documents are forged. Thus even in a relatively small, seemingly controllable area, legalisation of some ivory opens the door to the rest.
Pictures from http://www.helpthaielephants.com
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