I looked on National Geographic. The claims of abuse apply to methods used for training elephants to do certain behaviors like lhauling logs for the
logging industry which no longer exists. Most of those techniques I believe are things of the past. I have seen other videos from documentaries on
television that show young elephants learning too paint. They are given the freedom to just experiment and learn on their own. They are given the
brushes with paint on them and allowed to freely create whatever they desire. They usually create colorful abstract art. The only human interference
is when the human helper gives them a new color to paint with.
If you look more deeply into the Asian and Thai cultures as well as the Indian culture feelings about Elephants, you will find that they are held in
high regard. In the Thai culture Elephants are esteemed members of their society. They are adorned with elaborate costumes, decorations and even
worshiped in some cases. They hold religious ceremonies involving Elephants and also they hold celebrations where the Elephants are treated like
royalty and parade through the streets while the towns people toss flowers at their feet.
In the Indian culture there is a God named Ganesh who is in the image of an Elephants.
en.wikipedia.org...
Although he is known by many other attributes, Ganesha's elephant head makes him easy to identify.Ganesha is widely revered as the Remover of
Obstacles and more generally as Lord of Beginnings and Lord of Obstacles (Vighnesha (Sanskrit: विघ्नेश; IAST: Vighneśa), Vighneshvara
patron of arts and sciences, and the deva of intellect and wisdom. He is honoured at the beginning of rituals and ceremonies and invoked as Patron of
Letters during writing sessions] Several texts relate mythological anecdotes associated with his birth and exploits and explain his distinct
iconography.
Elephants are social creatures. They enjoy interaction with humans when treated well and they need a family type bond for them to thrive. The
mistreated and abused elephants always show neurotic and sometimes violent tendencies. Sadly we probably have all seen examples of elephants in zoos
and circus's who have shown some of the tell tale signs of abuse. There is no denying that it does indeed happen. These specific painting elephants
are in a elephant conservation program. They are in an open setting with lots of human contact and interactions.
The tourist industry involving elephants would be taking a huge risk to allow abused elephants to be allowed so close to the audience. I do not
believe that these particular group of elephants we are watching in these videos have suffered the same types of abuse as described in the articles.
It seems much more likely to me that these elephants are treated kind and allowed to develop these skills rather than forced. Not all the elephants
paint with the skill that this one particular elephant does. In fact this one elephant is unique when it comes to its painting ability.
blogs.nationalgeographic.com...
Looking for a once-in-a-lifetime adventure in the mountainous Golden Triangle region of northern Thailand, where Thailand, Myanmar, and Laos converge?
Love elephants? Want to help rescued Asian elephants and protect Thailand's wild herds?
If your head's bobbing and you're intrigued, check out the work of the Golden Triangle Asian Elephant Foundation. The foundation rescues abused,
abandoned, and overworked elephants, many of whom once toiled in the logging industry, and has created camps for them in two impressive resorts in the
Chiang Rai region of northern Thailand.
The elephants earn their keep at the Anantara Resort's Elephant Conservation Camp and at the Four Seasons Tented Camp by interacting with guests and
carrying them on treks in Thai hill country, through dense patches of bamboo and across riverine flood plains. Each resort also employs the elephants'
mahouts (drivers). They teach guests some of the 70 verbal commands the mahouts use to communicate with these gregarious beasts.
To learn more about this exciting program we caught up with John Roberts, Director of Elephants at the Anantara Golden Triangle Resort's Elephant
Conservation Camp.
edit on 24-3-2011 by MathiasAndrew because: add video
