This is a picture of Nam Chok. This happened so that he could be part of the elephant tourism industry in Asia. Nam Chok tragically died this week after falling into a hole in the busy streets of Thailand where tourists would pay to feed him treats.
He was six years old.
Lek Chailert, co-founder of the renowned Elephant Nature Park released this picture and others showing the training Nam Chok went through so he could be profitable from tourists.
This is why I started this petition. Because allowing elephant rides at a safari in Canada exacerbates the problem of ignorance in tourists. Elephant rides are one of the most popular parts of elephant tourism in Asia.
EDUCATION is the most important tool we have to fight this. EDUCATE people what an elephant ride truly costs. EDUCATE people how to know whether or not a sanctuary/zoo/facility is ethical. EDUCATE how to help fight this.
Please, please share this again, to reach more people, and get more signatures. Please consider donating to promote this petition if you have a spare couple of dollars. It truly makes a huge difference.
Again, thank you all to getting this petition to 25,000 signatures.
Here are links to news articles on Nam Chok's death-