- Live Fearlessly, Compassionately and Honestly
  • ABOUT
    • BEAUTIFUL BEE PHOTOGRAPHY
    • Private Investigator
    • Photographer
    • My Latest Photos
    • HONESTLY
    • ON MOTORCYCLE
    • DELIVERING SCHOOL SUPPLIES
    • TO MY MOM
    • OLD BLOG >
      • CHILD WRITERS
      • WRITER
    • Old Blog 2
    • CONTACT
  • FOR CHILDREN
  • BEES
    • Beach Wood
    • LADYBUGS
  • THE LIBERATOR
    • THE POISON PAPERS
  • HUMAN TRAFFICKING
    • DEATH BLOG
    • NOT FOR SALE
    • THE ARCHIVES
    • LOST GENERATION - A video
    • Straight From The Horse's Heart
  • ANIMAL RIGHTS & WELFARE
    • THE WHITE TIGER MYTH
    • BULLS SET ON FIRE
    • FOR ALL THE ANIMALS
    • MURDERED FOR IVORY
    • TRAFFICKING

.

A DISCUSSION: IS IT WRONG TO RIDE ELEPHANTS? AM I BEING A HYPOCRITE?

3/4/2013

0 Comments

 
Over the years, since seeing the photo of me riding an elephant, people have written me and sometimes written in very angry tones to blast me for being hypocritical. Some animal activists believe any human interaction with any animal of the wild is wrong. I don't have that view. I interact with wild animals at my home in the mountains and believe as long as I don't make them a danger to themselves or others, it's not wrong. Below is a pdf I made of an email exchange with a reader who said it disturbed her to see me riding an elephant. I share the exchange here because I wanted to put the discussion out there for others to weigh in, and because I wanted to get my view out there. I changed the name of the person who wrote me to "Reader" in order to protect their anonymity. 
Picture
READER’S QUESTION:

Comments: my question while you doing so great job , honestly I cant do it what you do for the animals. respectfully I wonder how can you ride an elephant knowing that the training of elephant is so hard en their intrinsic value is not to serve the human being

regards,
Reader

BETSY’S REPLY:

Thank you for writing and asking an important question. The elephants at Lampang where the Thai Elephant Conservation is located are rescued elephants who are well cared for and considering where they came from, and the limited choices for their continued survival, it's a place that gives them a second chance. The human who cares for Kaew is intended to be a lifelong partner. I check in with the facility throughout each year to see how Kaew is doing. The young man in charge of the Conservation loves the elephants and his job. It's not the perfect solution for these lovely and spectacular animals, but given a bad situation, it's a place that cares for them without abuse and continues to get funding to support that care. I won't go to a circus where animals are trained to perform. I won't go pay to ride elephants just to ride. I did an investigation into the first elephant riding business I came across in Bali. I interviewed the owner and photographed behind the scenes where the elephants are chained 24/7. It was heartbreaking. I was interested in knowing how animals were treated at this conservation and am pleased to report I witnessed no abuse. Of course, I'd rather see elephants roam in their natural habitat - no question. That's where they belong. 

READER’S QUESTION TO BETSY’S REPLY:

Hi Betsy

Thank you for your quick reaction. Once again I admire you very much and we need lot of more people like you.

About my concerns riding on an elephant I ‘m very glad to hear that you agree with me and that these elephants are save for their lives.

Yet only to see the picture of you on the top of the elephant seems like that’s OK to ride on an elephant.

Ofcourse I understand your investigation but surely lot of people who just starting  to learn that isn’t OK they will be confused after seeing you on these picture.

We rather see no more tourist riding on an elephant. But people will see  you as  their  example .Not one of our best ideas as humans to cage creatures.

While I’m for conservation for endangered animals, the idea of detaining, training and locking up animals for tourist just does not sit right with me at all.

Lets face it the majority of the general public wont even know nor do they know about all the other other horrors that are happening to animals in their names for example in Thailand and India  the poor elephants going through a religious process called Phajaan.

During that process 5 or 6 days depends on the elephant how quick he surrender, no water is allowed, foox or sleep during this time. During the silent nights, evenings and mornings that fall upon the village , the only sounds that can be heard are from the tortured elephant. It bellows in agony, desperately trumpets for help after he was beating so many times.

More people ought to find out whats really going on and don’t rely on what the industry that makes billions from it wants us to believe. A cynical ploy, at the expense of a creature meant to be wild.
  
Betsy, that is why I am disturbed by the photo of you.

regards,
Reader 

BETSY’S REPLY TO READER’S 2ND QUESTION:

You make valid points, and I see your viewpoint about how riding Kaew could give the wrong impression or even be counter-productive to helping the elephants. My hope is that there exists a distinction between animals held captive for human entertainment and profit, and animals that have been rescued and must find ways to be supported. The conservation camp where Kaew lives could be seen as exploitation of the animals. Perhaps there are better ways to run rescues. The David Sheldrick Trust in Africa is one of my favorite organizations and they are brilliant in rescuing elephants and other animals. I think that the place in Thailand (where Kaew lives) does a decent job over all, and for operating in Asia, does an excellent job. They do little advertising and only want to have enough business to support the operation and seem to steer away from just using elephants for profit.

Enjoying a wild animal that has been domesticated due to poor circumstances does not in itself seem wrong if the animal(s) are not abused or unloved, or exploited. I realize it's a fine line between profit and exploitation though. I know that the people I met at the Conservation Camp with the elephants will be forever champions of keeping elephants wild and free, and will do their part to help educate and protect elephants in whatever ways they have means, time, and funds. Elephants are amazingly emotional creatures and to witness their bonding with one another and with other humans was a gift that will be with me always.

I was riding Kaew out of the jungle one early morning and it was steep. I was sliding forward and struggling to stay on when Kaew took his ears to gently pin me; to hold me on by using them to secure me against his shoulders. It was remarkable. It's hard to see how something so beautiful and something that was such an incredible experience should be viewed as disturbing, especially once they fully understand the circumstances. I may change my opinion down the road. 

Thank you for caring and caring enough to engage in a discussion on an important issue.

Betsy

debate_about_riding_rescued_elephants.pdf
File Size: 318 kb
File Type: pdf
Download File

0 Comments

Your comment will be posted after it is approved.


Leave a Reply.

    Picture
    Subscribe to JASPER'S BLOG by Email
    "Ask not what an animal can do for you; ask what you can do for an animal."  Jasper 
    Picture
    Click to Read about Chippy and the Crew
    Join Jasper on Facebook 
    FOR ALL THE ANIMALS!
    Picture
    Photos for sale as greeting cards or framed prints. Click to go to online Art Gallery.
    Picture
    A bee swarm - click here to see lots of terrific bee photos
    Picture
    Jasper holding the U.S. Flag - By Betsy Seeton -- Click to go to the Animal Legal Defense Fund and sign the Animal Bill of Rights
    Picture
    Click for a collection of ladybug photos
    Picture
    LEARN ABOUT YAKS
    5 X 7
    Picture
    END BEAR BILE FARMING AND STOP THE TORTURE OF BEARS FOR BEAR PAW SOUP!
    Picture
    http://www.greenmuze.com/animals/wild/768-bear-bile-farming.html
    Picture
    Confiscated Skins and Wildlife at JFK Int'l Airport Photo from: http://www.laurelneme.com

     
    "
    Think occasionally of the suffering of which you
    spare yourself the sight." 

    ~Albert Schweitzer

    Picture
    DON'T BUY IVORY
    Picture
    CLICK TO READ MORE
    Picture
    Anatomy of a Tiger - Learn about the very real threat to these beautiful creatures

    "The animals of the world exist for their own reasons.  They were not made for humans any more than black people were made for white, or women created for men
    ." ~Alice Walker

    The source of the quote is Walker's preface to Marjorie Spiegel's 1988 book, "The Dreaded Comparison" . Her next sentence was, "This is the gist of Ms. Spiegel's cogent, humane and astute argument, and it is sound."


    Picture
    2014 Calendar For Sale

    Archives

    February 2015
    December 2014
    November 2014
    September 2014
    August 2014
    April 2014
    March 2014
    February 2014
    January 2014
    April 2013
    March 2013
    January 2013
    September 2012
    January 2012
    December 2011
    November 2011
    October 2011
    September 2011
    August 2011
    July 2011
    June 2011
    May 2011
    April 2011
    March 2011
    February 2011
    January 2011
    December 2010
    November 2010
    September 2010
    August 2010

    Picture
    Baking 101 with Albert

    "I was so moved by the intelligence, sense of fun and personalities of the animals I worked with on (the movie) Babe that by the 

    end of the film I 
    was a vegetarian." 
    ~ James Cromwell

    Picture
    Elephant Care International ~~ Dedicated to the Healthcare & Conservation of Elephants
    Picture

    Categories

    All
    2009 Top 10 Worst Zoos For Elephants
    2 Male Penguins Become Surrogate Parents
    7 White Rhinos Left In The World
    About Rob Laidlaw And Zoo Check Canada
    A Dose Of Cute
    African Cats The Movie
    Ahppa In Costa Rica
    Albert In Egypt
    Albert Schweitzer Quote
    Allegations Of Animal Abuse At Calhoun County Animal Shelter
    Alpacas
    Animal Acres
    Animal Bill Of Rights
    ANIMAL CRACKERS - A VIDEO
    Animal Minds
    Animal Nepal
    ANIMALNEPAL.ORG
    Animals Asia Foundation
    Animals Australia
    Animal Traffickers Caught In Mexico And Alaska
    Attitudes Towards Donkeys In Egypt Are Changing
    Baby Animals In The Womb
    Bad Legislation
    Baking 101 With Albert
    Ban On Secretly Filming Animal Farm Animal Abuse
    Bear Baiting
    Bear Cubs Rescued In India
    Blm Investigated
    Blood In The Sand
    Bob Parsons
    Brutus The 800 Pound Bear
    Calling All Heroes
    Canned Hunting
    Casey Anderson
    Cat Facts
    Cheers To Gov. Quinn
    Chicken Cruelty
    Chinese Activists Calling For Ban On Animal Traps
    Chinese Designer Cats
    Chipmunks And Squirrel Photography
    Chippy And Her Baby 2011
    Chris Derose
    Companies That Don
    Confucius
    Cousin Rusty
    Coyote And Fox Penning
    Coyote & Fox Pens
    Criminalizing Undercover Operations
    Cross River Gorillas
    CRUELTY UNCAGED: THE TRUTH ABOUT FUR FARMING
    Cute Cat And Dog Lover Video
    Cute Chipmunk And Squirrel Pictures Photos
    Cutest Penguin Ever
    Dancing Bears (reprint)
    David Sheldrick Wildlife Trust
    Den Hunting In Russia
    Denvers Pit Bull Row
    Doggy Door And The Toy - A Video!
    Dog Swimming With Dolphin
    Dolphin Play With Bubble Rings
    Dolphins Do Not Belong In Captivity
    Do You Like Me?
    Einstein Quote -
    Elephants Being Killed Is On The Rise In Kenya
    Emory The Bear By Bruce Cameron
    End Bear Farming
    End Dog Fighting
    Ending Animal Trafficking Is Challenging In Indonesia
    END THE CRUEL FUR TRADE
    Eu Bans Seal Products
    Everest Trail
    Everest Trek
    EXOTIC ANIMALS DON\'T BELONG IN CAPTIVITY
    Farm Sanctuary
    Film On Bull Fighting
    First Aid For Butterflies
    For Every Fallen Wolf
    Fostering A Dog
    Good Mooning
    Greek Non-profit Working For Animals
    Guilty By DNA?
    Handicappedpets.com
    Happy New Year From Jasper
    Have You Signed The Animal Bill Of Rights
    Help Dogs In Bali
    Help End Wolf Slaughter
    Helping Homeless People With Pets
    Hf 589 In Iowa
    History Of Dancing Bears
    Hmmmm ....
    Horse Ban Lifted
    HUMAN AND HORSES: MATCHING HEART RATES
    Humane Society Legislative Fund
    Humans Need To Rethink
    Hummingbird Feeding
    I Love When Animals Look Right At Me
    Impressive Cattle Farm
    Inhumane Treatment Of Pigs At Smithfield
    Inside Bear Farms In Asia
    Inside The Minds Of Animals
    I Promis You This ....
    I Signed! Hoody With Jasper For Sale!
    Jane Goodall Quote
    Jasper At His First Activist Meeting
    Jasper's Prayer
    Kayaking With Killer Whales
    Kill For Thrill Den Hunts In Russia33b8ca0eb6
    Last Chance For Animals
    Lilies Are Toxic To Cats
    Live Animal Key Chains In China
    Live Dogs As Bait To Hunt Sharks
    Llamas
    Louise Du Toit
    Madonna Of The Mills
    Missouri Puppy Mill Legislation
    Mt Everest Base Camp Trekbc1d2686a4
    Murder Most Foul
    My Hope For 2012
    National Threatened Species Day In Australia
    No Shelter Here By Rob Laidlaw
    One Happy Dog
    On Sale Through Nov 30
    Our Vanishing Rhinos
    Owl And Cat Playing
    Passion For Photography
    Paws For Laws
    Petition For Wild Horses
    Petition To Stop Using Traps
    Pets Alive In Ny
    Photo Pages
    Photos Of Ladybugs
    Pit Bull Controversy
    Polar Bear
    Polar Bears Faq
    Prairie Dog Language
    Priceless Passion
    Pros And Cons Of The Fur Trade
    Puppy Mill News
    Puppy Mills
    Reprint: When Elephants Clash With Humans
    Rhino Poaching In Africa On The Rise
    RINGLING BROS. AND BARNUM & BAILEY CIRCUS FINED
    Rocky Mountain Great Dane Rescue
    Save The Albatross
    Save The Elephants Petition
    Say No To Ivory
    Senator Mike Parson Of Missouri Promotes Puppy Mills
    Setting Bulls On Fire
    Squirrel With Mouthful Of Leaves
    Stop Shark Finning
    Stop The Abuse Video
    Take Time To Enjoy Life
    Taking The Chicken Industry To Court
    Target And Mcdonald Denounce Sparboe Farms
    Tell Ebay To Stop Selling Animals
    Tell Government To Cut Wasteful Programs That Hurt Animals
    Thailand Animal Trafficker
    The Book: YOU
    The Calcium Myth
    The Daily Vet Website
    The Facts About Trapping
    The Great Bear Rainforest
    The Intelligence Of Crows
    THE PERFORMANCE - A VIDEO
    The Real Age Of A Cat
    The Spirit Bear
    The Story Of Dao
    The Very Essence Of Protection & Peace
    The Wild Dog Trade In Africa
    Three Bears Rescued From Bear Baiting
    Tiger Force In Africa
    To Polar Bears
    Two Dogs Dining
    Uk Bans Animals In Circuses
    VICTIMS OF VANITY
    Victory For Hens
    Victory For Polar Bears
    Victory To Ban Den Hunting
    Video On Polar Bears
    Video Polar Bears And Dogs Playing
    Videos Posted By "Save Our Shelter Animals" MuttShack Animal Rescue
    Vietnam Government On Bear Bile Farming
    War Horse
    Water For Elephants
    What A Wonderful World
    What Cats Want
    What Makes You Sick?
    When Villagers And Elephants Clash
    WHERE HAVE ALL THE TIGERS GONE?
    Where The Blind Horse Sings
    Why Dogs Bite
    Why Veterinary Behaviorists Can
    WILD HORSES & RENEGADES
    Wspa
    Www.gettingintouchwithnature.com
    Xylitol Is Toxic To Dogs
    Yaks
    You Are Not Alone

    Picture
    Chippy in Argentina working on animal abuse issues
    Picture
Powered by Create your own unique website with customizable templates.
  • ABOUT
    • BEAUTIFUL BEE PHOTOGRAPHY
    • Private Investigator
    • Photographer
    • My Latest Photos
    • HONESTLY
    • ON MOTORCYCLE
    • DELIVERING SCHOOL SUPPLIES
    • TO MY MOM
    • OLD BLOG >
      • CHILD WRITERS
      • WRITER
    • Old Blog 2
    • CONTACT
  • FOR CHILDREN
  • BEES
    • Beach Wood
    • LADYBUGS
  • THE LIBERATOR
    • THE POISON PAPERS
  • HUMAN TRAFFICKING
    • DEATH BLOG
    • NOT FOR SALE
    • THE ARCHIVES
    • LOST GENERATION - A video
    • Straight From The Horse's Heart
  • ANIMAL RIGHTS & WELFARE
    • THE WHITE TIGER MYTH
    • BULLS SET ON FIRE
    • FOR ALL THE ANIMALS
    • MURDERED FOR IVORY
    • TRAFFICKING