DAY FOUR

Rightness/wrongness

We had several interviews today and were exposed to a diversity of opinions on elephant tourism. In the morning, we re-interviewed our tour guide to learn more about the attitudes of tour companies and tourists on elephant tourism. (He requested for a second interview due to details he was not keen on disclosing publicly.) Following that, we got to hear the views of veterinary students to find out more about their thoughts on the physiological welfare of the elephants in the tourism industry. In the evening, we spoke to the manager of the Elephant Jungle Sanctuary which dubbed itself as an elephant conservation center. At the end of the day, after consolidating all the views from the different stakeholders, I couldn’t help but feel a little helpless about the whole affair.

The tour guide saw the necessity in elephant tourism for the tourism industry and the manger of the Elephant Jungle Sanctuary brought to light the importance of it in conserving the Asian elephant population. On the other hand, we learn from the media and our primary sources of the ill-treatment these elephants often receive in the midst of it. I guess it is a little ironic that in our attempt to conserve this species, we hurt and exploit them. At least, that’s what I initially thought.

As we started to delve deeper into all these, I realized that when so many stakeholders are involved, it is inevitable that certain things have to be compromised. For example, in the case of the elephants, releasing them into the wild seems like the best solution. The idea of these elephants in captive returning to their homes, roaming wild and free, seems so endearing and romantic. In reality, it is hardly the case. Chiang Mai has insufficient land space and the cost of assimilating them back into the wild is often more complicated and tedious than giving them a comfortable place in the sanctuary. Another factor that keeps the elephant tourism industry going and necessary is the elephants themselves. The revenue from the industry ultimately goes back to them for food, shelter and health. Although, yes, we hear of stories of how these animals get abused or hurt but how often do we hear of the necessity of this industry? This really reminded me that rarely do we see right/wrong in this world but more than often it is all a complex network of gives and takes.

Cities and stars

On a more personal note, while traveling down from Baan Khun Chang Kian (Chiang Mai’s Sakura garden), we stopped by a lookout point which gave us the marvelous view of Chiang Mai’s skyline. At that point, the sun was setting, giving the sky an orange hue, and Chiang Mai began to lit up, like a night sky peppered with stars. As I was taking in the skyline of this city, the feeling of helplessness began to set in. It occurred to me that in that moment (while I was enjoying the scenery), an elephant could be getting badly abused, a family could be breaking up, a child could be getting exploited… morbid thoughts came flooding in and I just felt so helpless being aware but away from all these. Even then, I know it is no reason to feel depressed because I’m no savior that sets out to save the world. With the little I have, I can still make a difference to lives or maybe just a life and that is enough, at least to them.