The Scarborough Renaissance Festival has continued their use of Elephants rides in Waxahachie, Texas despite welfare concerns. There are certain things that we need to leave in the past, even at the Renaissance Festival, and Elephant rides are definitely one of them.

Elephants are extremely sensitive, intelligent, social and complex creatures that deserve to live in a habitat that supports their happiness and wellbeing. The elephants used at these festivals spend much of their lives confined to small spaces, restrained by chains, being transported from event to event and subjected to repetitive and unnatural activities. Elephants are not naturally built to carry heavy loads on their backs and their feet are not meant to walk on hard surfaces like roads and pavement. These rides take a heavy toll on them. The constant weight of tourists or equipment can cause serious harm to their spines and lead to long-term injuries, foot problems and chronic pain. 

In addition to this, the demand for elephant rides contributes to the capture and trafficking of wild elephants, as well as the exploitation of captive-bred elephants. This can have a negative impact on elephant populations in the wild, as well as on conservation efforts aimed at protecting these majestic animals. Elephants used in the tourism industry are then often subjected to cruel training methods such as "breaking" their spirits through a process known as "phajaan." This involves separating young elephants from their mothers and subjecting them to physical and psychological abuse to make them submissive and obedient. It can involve chaining, beating, and depriving them of food and water. This treatment causes immense suffering and is detrimental to the well-being of these intelligent and social creatures. According to Animal Defenders (ADI), the Elephant exhibitor that is providing rides at the Waxahachie Scarborough Renaissance Festival, Mike Swain of Humps and Trunks, has been caught on an ADI undercover video using one of these cruel methods by beating the elephant and bringing her to her knees with a bull hook. This is unacceptable.

These are just a few of the reasons why states like Colorado are adopting new laws like "Traveling Animal Protection Act," that will be enacted in August of this year. This act will be banning the use exotic animals like elephants from traveling performances like the Renaissance Festival. Let's follow their example and begin to enact these changes in Texas as well.

What are we willing to put these beautiful animals through before we say enough is enough? Although we cannot stop this cruelty overnight, we can start by holding local organizations and events accountable for these actions and let them know how we feel about them. Our first step is getting these rides out of our local festivals. Next up, is getting these Elephants into reputable sanctuaries. Let's come together and speak up for those who cannot speak for themselves!

If you feel called to take more action, I encourage supporters to send a direct message or make a call to the Texas Renaissance Festival asking them to make it their policy not to have performing elephants, camels, or other wild animals:
Email:        producer@texrenfest.com
Phone:     800-458-3435