Another cruelest animal tourist attraction (elephant riding) continues at Medan Zoo. Scorpion investigator visited the elephant riding event in Medan zoo on Friday afternoon (12th of February 2016) and took some pictures of the elephant riding. Later of the day, Scorpion wrote an email to PD Pembangunan Medan (Local government owned-company) asking to stop the elephant riding because it is one of the 10 cruelest tourist attraction.
According to the www.huffingtonpost.co.uk report (http://www.huffingtonpost.co.uk/2016/02/02/wildlife-tourism-10-cruelest-animal-attractions_n_9139682.html) to make elephants submit to giving rides, they are taken from their mothers when babies and forced through a horrific training process known as ‘the crush’.
This typically involves restraining them in a
small cage, or tying them in ropes or chains so that they can only move when
commanded.
Severe pain is often inflicted with pointed metal
‘bull hooks’ or wooden battens to quickly establish dominance. This process can
take between a few days and a week.
This process ‘breaks’ the young elephant’s spirit
so they will accept people riding on their back or other direct contact between
tourists and elephants.
The great trauma elephants endure during the
breaking process can stay with them throughout their lives. It can also leave
them suffering from post-traumatic stress.
Their suffering continues once broken. In elephant
parks they are prevented from forming natural social relationships with each
other. This is hugely damaging to their physical and psychological wellbeing,
as is the size of their captive world. They are often kept on chains or in
small enclosures and never allowed to roam freely as they would in the wild.
Contrary to public perception, elephants are one
of the most dangerous animals to handle. Consequently, handlers use bull hooks
to maintain control of them. These can cause serious injuries including
infected sores and cuts.
The elephants kept in these situations are
typically given little veterinary care. A relatively minor illness can quickly
become a big problem, causing unnecessary long–term suffering.
The global tourist hotspot for elephant rides is
Thailand, although it is prevalent in other Asian countries.
It has also emerged in Southern Africa over the
past ten years.
-----------------
In the letter to PD. Pembangunan, Scorpion foundation also requested that all animal enclosures given description of animals so that visiting students can learn about the animals in the Medan Zoo. Some animal enclosures in Medan zoo do not have any explanation to read for visitors. Below are pictures of turtle enclosures that do not have explanation of the animals.
