Elephant rides have an understandable appeal as they offer a unique opportunity to get close to the world's largest land animal. But a closer look reveals hidden cruelty and serious risks. Few know that methods of training usually involve the use of electric prods, ankuses, chaining, whips, sticks, axe handles, baseball bats, metal pipes, and other submission protocols. Read more for the full story of how riding elephants contributes to the ongoing abuse and debasement of these majestic creatures.

When you think of African elephants roaming the African landscape, you usually think of their majestic presence and the strength that leaves them almost invincible. You also think of their proven intelligence, their close family bonds, the lifelong friendships they form, and their comprehension of death. Then you think of the sad, broken-spirited elephants in zoos and circuses and they just don't hold the same allure. So you decide to see elephants as nature intended them to be. But be aware that your tour operator or travel agent may try and sell you the option to experience African elephants in a way you never expected, and that sounds romantic and natural – elephant back safaris!

Elephant back safaris and rides, walks with elephants, and general interaction with these animals is heavily promoted as a tourism attraction in South Africa, Botswana, Zimbabwe and Zambia.

The ‘elephant' industry in South Africa involves the capture, taming and training, of wild elephants. These elephant are then supplied to local and international zoos, circuses and elephant back safari operators.

Riding on an elephant's back does not represent the nature and mysteries of a majestic elephant spirit as marketers would have you believe, rather it is the result of human intervention. Young elephants are usually kidnapped by force from their families, and subjected to rigorous training. Do not be fooled into the romanticised sales pitch that the elephants enjoy being put in this position.

Industry justifications
The 'elephant industry' has used the opportunity presented by 'culling' to jump on the bandwagon and promote the growing elephant industry as a supposed alternative to 'culling'. These issues should not be confused. Taming and training elephants and then sending them to zoos, circuses and elephant back safaris is not an alternative to 'culling', nor does it impact on elephant population size.

There have been moves to suggest that 'problem' elephants be taken up into the industry. But they are more resistant to training and thus require more intensive domination. A vicious cycle develops where cruelty escalates and the animal becomes increasingly aggressive. There are at least two confirmed incidents of 'difficult to train' elephants being hunted or killed.

Cruelty behind the scenes
Cruelty that may not be evident to spectators often occurs behind the scenes in various forms, including abusive training methods used to try to control animals of this size, chaining them for many hours a day, and depriving them of social contact with other elephants.

Because of the unnatural environments in which they live, captive elephants often suffer from debilitating foot conditions, arthritis, and other ailments.

The confined life of captive elephants is in sharp contrast to that of elephants in the wild, many of which may walk 30 miles a day and establish life-long bonds.

Accidents waiting to happen
There is no predicting when elephants will respond aggressively to harsh treatment or when a seemingly innocuous incident will set them on a fearful rampage. With their large size, even a small misstep can be deadly.

The sad truth behind the sales pitch
The capture, taming, training and working of an elephant is usually cruel and reveals what goes on behind the scenes in the name of 'sustainable utilisation' in South Africa.

• The elephants used for the safari back industry are generally young elephants that have been forcibly removed from their parents and family units with the use of weapons, helicopters and violence.
• Because elephants are large, strong, and intelligent, constant control of an elephant is maintained by domination and fear.
• The fate of the elephants in this industry is determined by the business cycle of the tour operator and if these tour operators fail to succeed what happens to these elephants?
• Elephants are complex and sensitive beings, and like humans, young elephants need to stay with their families.
• Removing   young elephants from their families in the wild and taking them into captivity is a cruel and unethical practice condemned by elephant ethologists and is contrary to international norms.
• From research studies it has been shown that calves and juveniles separated from their mothers and family groups endure immeasurable suffering.
• It has been proven that, as with human children, elephant children need adult role models. Without this guidance these elephants are more likely to turn into delinquents.

Tools of the trade
At the training facilities, the methods of training usually involve the use of electric prods, ankuses, chaining and other submission protocols.

Chains - Elephants are chained by one or both front and hind legs during training sessions and during transport.  Inadequate exercise and prolonged standing in wet, unsanitary conditions may lead to foot problems such as foot rot, cracked nails, and infected cuticles.
Ropes - During the separation process, calves are kept isolated and tied with ropes at the front and back leg. Rope burns may develop as they struggle against the restraints.
Bullhooks or Ankuses- The ankus has a long handle and a sharp metal hook, and is used to discipline elephants. Although an elephant's skin is thick, it is sensitive enough for them to feel the pain of an insect bite. Trainers embed the hook into the soft tissue behind the ears and inside the mouth or tender spots under the chin and around the feet. The sharp hook is used to apply pressure to the elephant's skin and sensitive body parts. This pressure may consist of gentle jabbing, repeated and forceful puncturing, slight or full insertion, and insertion combined with twisting. Once an elephant has been trained with an ankus, the sight of it is sufficient to evoke the response desired by the trainer.
Whips - The sting of a whip causes lingering, intense pain.
Electrical shocks - Like the whip, a jolt of electrical current is painful. Circuses often use electric prods and smaller hand-held shocking devices that are easily concealed.
Sticks, axe handles, baseball bats, metal pipes - These weapons are used to hit and beat restrained animals in order to break their spirits and show them 'who's boss'.

How can you help?

• Write to travel agents and tour operators asking them not to support this industry

• Email Didi Moyle, Acting Chief Executive Officer of SA Tourism, and tell her that you do not support this form of tourism - didi@southafrica.net

• Write to Ms Buyelwa Sonjica, Minister of Water and Environmental Affairs, and ask her to prohibit the industry - mthembun@dwaf.gov.za