
Animal rights campaigners have revealed that elephants are abused with bullhooks and forced to perform for tourists at a so-called ‘sanctuary’ in Thailand.
Activists from Moving Animals have claimed that Maesa Elephant Nursery in Thailand are using the sharp hooks to force them to learn performance routines.
The animal welfare group said baby elephants are separated from their mothers when they are just two years old, and that elephants at the camps are chained up.
The group shared footage of the abuse at the site across social media.
It shows tourists watching animals seemingly bathing in the water, but workers can be seen using sharp metal bullhooks to control the animals – which have chains around their necks.
The trainers are also seen tugging on the elephants’ ears so force them to impress onlooking tourists.
The footage was taken in the ‘nursery’ section of the self-described ‘sanctuary’. Tourists pay to watch the babies bathe before going to the performance areas to watch adult elephants complete tricks.
The organisation has more than 20 performing elephants who are made to perform three times a day, and 80 in total, according to activists.




Some elephants are forced to paint, while others throw darts at a balloon with their trunks. Activists say trainers were pinching their ears throughout the performances.
‘Suffering’
Amy Jones, a spokesperson for Moving Animals, said: “Our investigations across Asia have repeatedly shown that elephants continue to face relentless physical and emotional suffering to take part in rides, processions and performances.
“It is heartbreaking to think that these innocent babies at Maesa Elephant Nursery are at the start of a lifetime of captivity that will feature sharp bullhooks, cruel performances, and severe psychological stress.
“Travel companies are misleading tourists into supporting animal abuse. To save another generation of baby elephants from a lifetime of misery, Defra must act now and ban British companies from selling tickets to elephant ‘attractions’.
“Earlier this year we documented a performing baby elephant named Dumbo who was forced to perform until his back legs snapped beneath him and he tragically died.
“It is heartbreaking to think that the baby elephants at Maesa Elephant Nursery could face the same cruel fate.”
Sign the petition, here.
Share this article to reveal the truth behind animal tourism.
Lifestyle
Vegan culture, food, beauty & more
The Lord of the Rings franchise under fire after horse dies on set for the second time
- tb_admn
- 27th March 2023
PETA renews calls for Hollywood to replace animals with CGI Amazon’s television series The Lord of the Rings: The Rings of Power has come under fire after a horse died during rehearsals for a season 2 scene in the UK. The horse was one of about 30 on set that day and died of cardiac …
Puma ditches kangaroo leather for ‘better’ vegan fabric
- Mohsina Dodhiya
- 3rd March 2023
Puma’s King soccer boots are made with vegan K-Better, a new animal-free upper material. Puma SE is officially phasing kangaroo leather out of its soccer boots this year. Instead, it will begin using a vegan fabric following rising consumer opposition to animal-made products. The German sporting goods company has redesigned its legendary KING football boot …
Continue reading “Puma ditches kangaroo leather for ‘better’ vegan fabric”
VEGAN MEMES
NEED A LAUGH?
QUIZZES
All the quizzes you love to binge!
QUIZ: If you score 11/12 on this quiz, you’re a verified vegan food expert
- Marlon Farrugia
- 10th January 2020
How much vegan knowledge do you have stored away? Do you have to Google your way through a shopping trip, or do you have all the bad E-numbers memorised? Find out now with this quiz. Marlon Farrugia Marlon Farrugia is a freelance writer from Brighton. He has been a dedicated vegan for many years, and …
Continue reading “QUIZ: If you score 11/12 on this quiz, you’re a verified vegan food expert”
QUIZ: What is your perfect Vegan Halloween Costume?
- Marlon Farrugia
- 13th October 2019
Spook Season approaches. There will be ghosts, goblins, ghouls, and glucose. You need a costume, and you want to it to show off your personality, which means VEGAN. But what to choose? Take our quiz to find out your perfect outfit. Marlon Farrugia Marlon Farrugia is a freelance writer from Brighton. He has been a …
Continue reading “QUIZ: What is your perfect Vegan Halloween Costume?”
QUIZ: What kind of vegetable are you?
- Marlon Farrugia
- 26th September 2019
“If you were a vegetable, what kind would you be?” A question that has tormented humanity throughout the ages – until now. Read: QUIZ: If you score 19/20 on THIS quiz, you’re a Vegan God Marlon Farrugia Marlon Farrugia is a freelance writer from Brighton. He has been a dedicated vegan for many years, and …