A new investigation by Lady Freethinker (LFT) and wildlife conservationist Blake Moynes of Save Our Species Alliance (SOSA) has revealed heartbreaking cruelty at wildlife attractions across Thailand.
Investigators documented animals chained, beaten, and forced into degrading performances — all to entertain tourists and schoolchildren.
Across five facilities, animals — including tigers, lions, elephants, monkeys, orangutans, crocodiles, and hyenas — were found suffering in barren, concrete enclosures, deprived of enrichment, and routinely mistreated by handlers.
Big Cats in Chains and Pain
Tigers were discovered on chains so short they could not even stand upright. A white tiger used for photos appeared exhausted, collapsing into sleep between tourist selfies. Lion cubs were dragged by their tails and struck to make them pose with tourists, while other big cats flinched at a man’s raised hands — clear signs of fear from feeling threatened.
LFT Investigation/Blake Moynes & Scott Bradley of SOSA
Elephants Exploited for Shows and Rides
At multiple facilities, elephants were kept on short chains that allowed them only to shuffle in tight circles. During shows, handlers wielded sharp bullhooks and forced them into giving rides to tourists and performing tricks. Thunderously loud audio accompaniment — laced with the sounds of explosions — was used as part of performances, with elephants showing no reaction, suggesting they had been subjugated into submission.
LFT Investigation/Blake Moynes & Scott Bradley of SOSA
Primates and Other Animals Humiliated
Orangutans were forced into costumes and paraded before cheering crowds of children, degraded into “human-like” stunts such as push-ups, as well as obscene gestures with their private parts and those of their handlers. Gibbons, monkeys, leopards, jaguars, and hyenas languished in tiny cages, many visibly distressed or attempting to reach their packmates. One monkey suffered from a large, untreated tumor on their backside.
LFT Investigation/Blake Moynes & Scott Bradley of SOSA
Crocodiles Beaten and Exploited
Crocodiles were piled on top of one another in filthy pens, then yanked by their tails, struck with sticks, and forced to endure handlers shoving their fists, heads, or cash from tourists into their mouths. Vendors openly sold crocodile skin bags, taxidermy parts, and even served dishes made of crocodile meat.
LFT Investigation/Blake Moynes & Scott Bradley of SOSA
Children Exposed to Violence
Perhaps most disturbing was the sheer number of schoolchildren in attendance. At nearly every facility, investigators saw classrooms of children cheering animal abuse, normalizing cruelty for the next generation.
LFT Investigation/Blake Moynes & Scott Bradley of SOSA
“Seeing these animals chained, abused, and humiliated for entertainment was heartbreaking,” said wildlife conservationist and SOSA founder Blake Moynes. “No tiger, elephant, or orangutan should have to live like this. We need to work together to end these practices and give these animals the respect and freedom they deserve.”
“These majestic animals are denied every instinct, every freedom, and every shred of dignity,” said Lady Freethinker founder Nina Jackel. “Wildlife ‘selfies’ and forced interactions are cruel and outdated, and have no place in modern tourism. Thailand must take action to end this systemic abuse.”
Take Action for Animals
LFT and SOSA are urging Thai authorities to ban cruel animal abuse, confinement, selfies, performances, and tourist exploitation at these facilities.
Sign our petition here to demand justice for the animals trapped in Thai zoos.
SIGN: Ban Cruel Selfies with Tigers and Other Exotic Animals at Thai Zoos
