What Makes an Elephant Sanctuary Truly Ethical?
Avoid any venue offering elephant riding (howdah saddles), bullhooks, circus painting/tricks, or forced crowded river bathing. Genuine sanctuaries—such as Elephant Nature Park (Chiang Mai), ChangChill (Chiang Mai), Burm and Emily's Elephant Sanctuary (BEES, Mae Chaem), Following Giants (Krabi / Koh Lanta), and Phuket Elephant Sanctuary (Paklok)—prioritize natural chain-free foraging in forest habitats where visitors observe from a respectful distance.