Blog Update
Why Riding Elephants Is Harmful to Their Health
Aug
Why is riding elephants harmful? It comes down to anatomy and welfare: an elephant’s back is simply not built to carry the weight of people all day.
An elephant’s back is not made for riding
Unlike a horse, an elephant is built to lift weight with its trunk, not to carry loads on its back. The vertebrae of an elephant’s spine point upwards, with sharp, bony protrusions rather than round, cushioned discs. Constant pressure from riders and metal seats causes pain and can seriously damage its health over time.
Poor living conditions too
Riding operations often keep elephants in conditions that are far from natural. When an elephant is not working, day or night, it may be chained on a short tether for hours, sometimes even when it is too sick to work, confined to a space that is far too small.
A better way to meet elephants
You can still have a close, rewarding experience without riding. At Cambodia Elephant Sanctuary you meet the elephants on the ground, under our no riding, no chains policy.
Visit the elephants yourself 🐘
Spend a hands-on, ethical half-day with our rescued elephants near Siem Reap — feed them, join a mud bath and bathe them in the river. Hotel pick-up from Siem Reap included.
Book your elephant experience →