An expert raises concerns over elephant tourism following the tragic death of a young student in Thailand, urging caution for future visitors to these attractions.
Koh Yao: An expert on Asian elephants is really sounding the alarm about elephant sanctuaries after a tragic incident in Thailand. A 22-year-old law student named Blanca Ojanguren García lost her life while bathing an elephant at Koh Yao Elephant Care.
It happened last week, and reports say the elephant, named Phang Somboon, attacked her. There were about 18 people at the sanctuary, including her boyfriend, but thankfully, no one else was hurt. The handler of the elephant has been arrested for negligence.
Details about how the elephants are treated at these places are still unclear. But this incident raises serious questions about the safety of these sanctuaries that promise tourists a close encounter with elephants.
Duncan McNair, the CEO of Save the Asian Elephants, spoke out about the tragedy. He warned that tourists should really think twice before visiting these places. He pointed out that the term “sanctuary” is often misleading and doesn’t reflect the reality of many facilities in Thailand and other countries.
McNair emphasized that most sanctuaries are not ethical and are often brutal, driven by profit. He mentioned that the elephant likely attacked García due to the stress of captivity, not because it was acting randomly.
He explained that elephants are wild animals, and even though they can seem calm, they can react aggressively if they feel threatened. McNair highlighted that putting a stressed elephant in close proximity to someone inexperienced is a recipe for disaster.
He also shared that the mistreatment of elephants starts long before they reach these sanctuaries. Many are taken from their families and subjected to horrific treatment to make them submissive for tourism.
McNair has been advocating for better laws to protect these animals and is now focusing on tourism companies that promote unethical practices. He encourages tourists to do their homework before booking trips to ensure both their safety and the well-being of the elephants.
His goal is to shift the animal tourism market from brutal practices to ethical ones, helping both animals and responsible businesses thrive.
