The Story of the Elephant Tattoo

Just before my 60th birthday, I traveled to Thailand and spent time working as a volunteer in an elephant sanctuary…

Anyone who watches TV, listens to the news or follows social media is familiar with the plight of African elephants–their populations being devastated by trophy hunting and cruelly mangled for their ivory. Less common is the story of the Asian elephant. Often not having tusks (or tusks too small to be hunted for ivory), this elephant species has been an iconic image and integral part of the area’s culture for millennium. They are Thailand’s national animal and have been associated with royalty for thousands of years. They have also, for that same period of time, been used for heavy manual labour and transport in many industries and in war. At one time numbering in the hundreds of thousands, there is now estimated to be less than 5,000 in domestic use (mostly tourism) and less than 1,000 existing in the wild. Like their African cousins, they are also on the brink of a painful extinction.

How did so many elephants end up in the tourist industry and why is that a problem? Historically, as many as 70% of the work elephants were used in the Thai logging industry. A brutal, hard life almost from birth to death. Then, in 1989 Thailand issued a logging ban in response to deforestation.  What to do then, with tens of thousands of elephants? They are massive animals to keep and feed (to remain healthy, an adult elephant requires about 500 pounds of food PER DAY). Some are re-purposed into illegal logging sites which is especially dangerous–elephants are fed bananas spiked with amphetamines so they can be forced to work faster (rogue loggers must get in and get out of an area quickly) but they also become addicted, exhausted, ill and die more quickly as a result. The more common outcome has been that many were moved into the tourist industry–living in spaces barely larger than their bodies, legs chained and ill-fitting seats tied on their backs for ‘trekking’…taking tourists for rides. Along with the poorly made and fitted structures on their backs creating constantly open and festering sores, living on the concrete brings painful arthritis. Tourists, some who are becoming more aware of the plight of ‘attraction’ animals, try to determine if the animals are being treated well and are shown that–during their ‘trek’ at least–no bull hooks are in sight and perhaps no chains on the feet. It is at night, when tourists aren’t around, the bull hooks, whips and chains come out to stop the animals from barely moving. Food is used as sparingly as possible, just enough to keep them alive and rarely the kind of food actually required by the elephant, but instead just street scraps. Once the elephants aren’t even able to be used for ‘trekking’, they are simply led around on the streets, begging for food for themselves and coins for their owners. Its estimated that elephants employed in ‘trekking’ and those used for begging receive about 13% of their daily food requirement. Frequently involved in traffic accidents on the congested city streets, the animals are often hurt and, in their weak and unhealthy state likely to die (or left to die) as a result. Although there are bans from bringing elephants into the larger cities such as Bangkok, the penalty is a fine–which owners pay, seeing it as part of their business expense. Today, elephants number in the hundreds on the street of that city alone and there are currently no laws in Thailand to address the plight of these animals.

I learned all this while in Thailand, volunteering my time to help care for elephants who have been rescued from that life. What is life like for the elephants here at the WFFT (Wildlife Friends Foundation Thailand) Sanctuary? Located in Phetchaburi Province in the interior of Thailand, about 200km southwest of Bangkok, it is Asia’s first completely chain-free elephant sanctuary. Also, no bull hooks, whips etc. The elephants enjoy a plentiful and healthy diet including fruit (bananas, melons, etc), corn and clean water. Full-time, on-staff fully accredited vets (arthritis is a common by-product of years spent walking on pavement), ponds and lakes to swim in and some of the largest free-roaming elephant enclosures in Asia. They will never be ridden again nor are they ever in chains. Bull hooks and whips don’t exist here. Estimated to be one of the most intelligent wild species, they will live the rest of their days in hard-earned dignity and peace.

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My time in Thailand was intense, not only because of the subject of rescuing these beautiful animals but also the climate. While there, the temperatures–night and day–ranged from about 38C-41C (100F-1005F) with 95% humidity. Luckily it was not the rainy season so the only thing I didn’t have to contend with was mud. The elephants don’t appear to be affected by the heat, choosing to spend much of their time in the open sun–even with shade available. Which meant most of the work done with them is also done in the sun. They had the option of dipping into pools and lakes at will, and just as often would choose to dust bathe. You would try not to get caught unaware or end up blindly choking your way out lol!

So, you’ve now read the story of the elephant tattoo. Although it doesn’t take a very clear picture, high up on my arm and shoulder is a large Asian elephant, rearing up against–and breaking–the chains shackling its feet. Something to remember, and honour, those elephants who have done this in their real lives–and many more who never had, or will have, the chance to.

— Marilyn

Note 1: If you’ve enjoyed reading about my elephant adventure in Thailand, click to see more photos AND videos I took at the sanctuary!

Note 2: I don’t memorialize all of my adventures in tattoo form but if you haven’t yet, here’s the chance to read the thrilling story behind my Cape buffalo tat!

Note 3: I found out about the opportunity to come here and arranged it all through AEI …browse through some of my other posts to find out more about this amazing ethical animal volunteer organization and read of other of adventures I’ve had through them!