Elephant rides have long been a popular tourist activity in many parts of Asia, with visitors flocking to ride on these majestic animals in destinations like Thailand, India, Cambodia, Sri Lanka, and Nepal. While these experiences are marketed as an opportunity to connect with wildlife, they often come with hidden costs -- both for the elephants and the humans involved in their care. As 2025 unfolds, increased awareness and government actions across these countries are shedding light on the exploitation of elephants and the growing push for more ethical tourism practices.
Thailand is home to approximately 15% of the world's 52,000 wild Asian elephants, making it a key player in the global conversation about elephant conservation. The country also hosts around 2,798 captive elephants, many of which are used for tourist rides or shows. These elephants, often kept in poor conditions, face physical and psychological harm due to the cruel practices associated with training and exploitation. While Thailand's captive elephant population represents a large part of Asia's tourism, it is estimated that nearly 75% of these elephants are used for rides or performances.
Elephant welfare advocates, such as World Animal Protection and PETA, have raised alarms about the lack of industry-wide welfare standards. Elephants in tourism are often tethered, beaten, or separated from their mothers during the training process. This mistreatment, however, is not without consequence, as these animals endure immense stress, which is compounded by long working hours and inadequate care.
In January 2025, an incident at the Nong Bua Lamphu Red Cross Fair highlighted the dangers of elephant exploitation. A female elephant, frightened by fireworks, caused injuries to five people before running away into the forest. Authorities later discovered that the owners of the elephant lacked the proper permits, and the animals were used for attractions rather than conservation purposes. PETA also reported another tragedy in January 2025, where a Spanish tourist was knocked over and fatally injured while bathing an elephant. This incident underscores the inherent risks to both humans and elephants in such exploitative environments.
India, home to approximately 27,000 wild Asian elephants, also has a significant captive elephant population of around 2,700 to 3,500. Over 75% of these elephants are used in the tourism sector, where they are forced to participate in rides, processions, and performances. The economic pressures driving these practices are considerable, as tourism plays a major role in the country's GDP, particularly in states like Rajasthan, where elephant rides generate significant revenue. In 2025, it was reported that tourism in Rajasthan accounts for around 15% of the state's GDP, and the economic challenges faced by mahouts (elephant caretakers) further complicate efforts to eliminate elephant rides.
In August 2025, the Rajasthan High Court issued a ruling that stayed the government's decision to reduce elephant ride prices at Amer Fort, a popular tourist destination. The court's intervention emphasized the financial burden on mahouts, who rely on ride income to care for the elephants. The legal complexities highlight the delicate balance between protecting elephant welfare and sustaining livelihoods in tourism-dependent communities.
Additionally, there have been incidents of elephant attacks on tourists, particularly in high-traffic areas. For example, a report in November 2025 highlighted a wild elephant charging at a tourist in Bandipur National Park, underscoring the unpredictability and risks associated with captive elephants. These incidents also shed light on the limitations of current regulations and the need for better enforcement of ethical standards in elephant tourism.
While India's Project Elephant has made strides in ensuring better welfare standards for elephants, the reality on the ground remains challenging. The phajaan (breaking-in) process, prolonged chaining, and the demand for elephants in the tourism industry continue to cause physical and psychological harm to these majestic creatures. Advocacy groups like Wildlife SOS and the International Elephant Foundation continue to call for the removal of elephants from tourism activities, citing the detrimental effects of captivity on their well-being.
Cambodia has made notable progress in addressing the exploitation of elephants in tourism. In May 2025, the Apsara Authority, which manages the Angkor archaeological park, made a groundbreaking decision to relocate the 14 elephants used for rides to the Bos Thom community forest. This decision marked the end of elephant rides at Angkor, one of the country's most famous tourist destinations. The move is part of Cambodia's broader effort to prioritize elephant welfare and remove these animals from exploitative practices.
Additionally, the Elephant Valley Project (EVP) in Mondulkiri has received widespread recognition for its ethical approach to elephant tourism. The EVP rehabilitates elephants in a natural environment, rejecting the practice of elephant rides and performances. The project won the 2025 Asian Ecotourism Network award for its innovative approach to conservation. Cambodia is home to fewer than 70 captive elephants, with estimates of around 600-800 wild elephants in the country's forests. Cambodia's continued efforts to promote ethical tourism are further supported by the government's development of a "Sacred Tourism 2025-2035" policy aimed at promoting sustainable practices.
In 2025, Cambodia saw a significant rise in international tourist arrivals, reaching 6.7 million by the end of the year. The shift towards ethical tourism and the push to end elephant rides in major tourist areas have contributed to this increase in tourism, reflecting the growing global demand for cruelty-free experiences.
Sri Lanka introduced significant animal welfare reforms between 2015 and 2021, aimed at improving the conditions of captive elephants. These regulations include requiring biometric ID cards for elephants, limiting the working hours for logging elephants, and banning the use of alcohol and drugs for mahouts while riding. These reforms have made a positive impact, though the challenge of enforcing these laws remains.
The country's regulations also prohibit the use of baby elephants for work, ensuring that elephants receive daily baths and veterinary checks. The Sri Lankan government continues to monitor the welfare of elephants in captivity, but there are still concerns about the exploitation of elephants in tourist attractions and festivals. The enforcement of these regulations is crucial to ensuring that elephants are not subjected to harmful practices.
In Nepal, elephants have long been part of the country's Chitwan Elephant and Tourism Festival, where they are used in performances and games. However, in January 2025, World Animal Protection released disturbing footage from the festival showing elephants with cuts on their trunks, stressed calves, and handlers beating the animals during games. This incident raised alarms among animal welfare organizations, prompting them to call for a ban on elephant use in entertainment activities. Although some exploitative practices, such as elephant polo, were removed, the abuse continued, highlighting the need for stronger enforcement and more comprehensive reforms in Nepal's elephant tourism industry.
Nepal has made strides towards ethical tourism, with several sanctuaries offering observation-only experiences where tourists can learn about elephants in their natural environment. However, the absence of a nationwide policy banning elephant rides means that exploitation still occurs, particularly in tourist-heavy regions.
The exploitation of elephants for tourism not only harms the animals but also affects the humans involved in their care. Mahouts, often from marginalized communities, work long hours under precarious conditions, relying on tips from tourists to support their families. In India, the court case involving the elephant rides at Amer Fort highlighted how the economic vulnerability of mahouts complicates efforts to eliminate elephant rides. Without alternative livelihoods, mahouts are left with few options but to continue exploiting elephants for income.
The case in Thailand, where elephants were brought to a fair without permits, also underscores the lack of oversight and the exploitation of both mahouts and elephants in the tourism industry. Governments, tourism agencies, and advocacy groups must work together to ensure that elephants are treated with the respect and dignity they deserve, while also addressing the economic realities faced by mahouts.
The fight to end the exploitation of elephants in tourism is far from over. While some countries, such as Cambodia, have made significant strides by banning elephant rides at major tourist destinations, others, like Thailand and India, continue to face challenges due to economic pressures and the deep-rooted demand for elephant rides. The incidents and regulatory changes in 2025 highlight the ongoing need for greater enforcement of animal welfare laws, more ethical tourism practices, and alternative livelihoods for mahouts.
As tourists, we can play an essential role in supporting ethical tourism by choosing observation-only experiences and advocating for the rights of elephants. By making informed choices, we can contribute to a future where elephants are treated with the respect they deserve, free from exploitation and abuse.