lft investigates
Elephants are Being Stabbed with Nails and Chained in Feces in Thailand
A Lady Freethinker (LFT) investigation into elephant “attractions” in Thailand revealed widespread cruelty, including elephants being chained in their own waste, stabbed with nails, and forced to stand on top of one another for “entertainment.”
LFT’s investigator visited eight facilities, including– Chang Puak Camp, Chang Siam Camp, Khao Kheow Open Zoo, Nong Nooch Tropical Garden, Pattaya Elephant Village, Samphran Elephant Ground and Zoo, Sanctuary of Truth, and Chang Thai Thappraya Safari.
Animal suffering and extreme abuse was witnessed at every single one, including the following:
- An elephant who was stabbed with a sharp nail multiple times in her side
- A young elephant who was hit twice with a bullhook after tugging on a tourist’s shirt with her trunk
- Elephants with abscesses or wounds on their faces
- A baby elephant nursing from his chained mother
- Elephants with their front legs chained together, so they can’t take even one step in either direction
- Elephants showing signs of zoochosis – psychological distress experienced by animals in captivity – by pacing, swaying, and stereotypical head bobbing
Khao Kheow Open Zoo

Chang Puak Elephant Camp

Chang Siam Park

Nong Nooch Tropical Garden

Pattaya Elephant Village

Samphran Elephant Ground and Zoo

Sanctuary of Truth

At Sanctuary of Truth, a handler was seen swinging a bullhook acting like he was going to hit an elephant with it – in an apparent attempt to frighten the animal. Elephants were also seen chained, unable to move.
Chang Thai Thappraya Safari

Elephants were documented in concrete enclosures chained to the floor or to each other at Chang Thai Thappraya Safari, and marks from the bullhook were seen on an elephant’s face. The animals were kept tightly chained in piles of their own feces.
This is a disgrace for dignified elephants, who are one of the most intelligent animals on Earth, and are known to show empathy for others, mourn their loved ones, and distinguish languages. There’s no valid justification for them to be exploited and abused for “entertainment” and profits – or for any other reason.
Help elephants today by never buying a ticket to any place that exploits them, and by signing our petition urging authorities to investigate these cruel “attractions” in Thailand immediately.
LFT Thai Elephant Investigation Images










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