WHY I REGRET RIDING AN ELEPHANT IN BALI

I have always wanted to ride an elephant in Bali.

It’s always been on my bucket list. I think like most tourists, we enjoy the idea of this more than the reality once revealed to us.

I will go to great lengths with no shame to produce the most creative, impressive photo opportunity. However, I more importantly care for the well-being of any living creature. Human or not.

Which is why I refuse to include any images of actually riding these magnificent animals. All of these photos were taken before we were exposed to the treatment of these animals. {so yes, we were enjoying ourselves and smiling}

Because I do not support it. And 100% regret my decision to ride an elephant in Bali.

I thought I had done my research before committing to the idea of supporting any kind of elephant ‘sanctuary’. Now, I am not saying that there are not humane facilities that are open to the public allowing interactions with elephants. This was just not one of them. Even after all the thousands of positives reviews about this ‘Elephant Safari Park’ in Ubud discussing the treatment of these creatures, I could not believe what I was witnessing on my elephant ride.

Upon entering the sanctuary, you are welcomed with the atmosphere you expect. The image you had formed in your head. Multiple elephants are roaming freely around the area, more are bathing in the huge pool of water, and you can interact with them without feeling as though they are being forced to cooperate.

Unfortunately, this is the exact trap you are meant to fall victim to. And to be honest I only have myself to blame.

We were told after buying our tickets that they include a show prior to the elephant ride. I immediately cringed at the idea of that, which should have been a red flag immediately. We opted to eating lunch before our ride instead of participating as an audience member of the ‘show’.

We hopped on our elephant, Ruby, and began our 35 minute journey through the jungle path. Once out of the direct view of the tourists, the reality began to set in about the treatment of these elephants.

Every single elephant that was not roaming the grounds {which was a very large number of elephants} were chained to posts. These chains were a couple feet long, if that. The elephants were prisoners. They couldn’t move more than a step to the left or a step to the right. Old, young, it didn’t matter. They looked miserable.

As Eric informed me, this was still a considerable amount better than other elephant sanctuaries when it came to the treatment of these animals. But that made it worse.

THIS was the better treatment.

THIS was what the reviews were considering ‘well taken care of’ animals.

THIS was what happy elephants were supposed to look like.

What has our world come to that human beings can look at these living creatures and assume they are happy chained to a post being unable to move freely and later made to throw a basketball into a hoop and curtsy for an audience who probably finds this ‘cute’?

I was appalled.

I hated the entire ride and wanted to get off Ruby immediately. I felt so guilty and ashamed for participating in this event. I wanted to take my money back.

We need to take care of these creatures.

That’s what I want.

I want to help them.

So please, please, please do not ride elephants!

Not just in Bali, but anywhere in the world. It is not humane. We should not be supporting these establishments, but instead fighting against them.

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