Rescued Elephant Carrying Tourists for 25 Years Now With Deformed Spine — Thailand

The back of an old elephant, which now has a deformed spine, has been severely damaged by 25 years of giving rides to tourists in Thailand, according to rescue officials.

Elephant Rides and Tourist Amusement

According to the Wildlife Friends Foundation Thailand (WFFT), which cautions against the exploitative practices of the wildlife entertainment industry, Pai Lin, who is now around 71 years old, was compelled to carry as many as six tourists at a time for 25 years.

According to Amy Jones, a representative for the WFFT, Pai Lin lived a long and difficult life. Now, WFFT looks after Pai Lin.

Pai Lin was employed for many years in the logging industry, as a prop for street begging, and for elephant trekking. She was made to carry a bulky howdah, or "seat," that could hold up to six tourists. She has numerous scars from pressure sores as a result, and her spine is deformed.

Elephant-riding excursions are common in popular tourist destinations throughout Southeast Asia, and in TikTok, #elephantride has received over 7 million views. The elephants used in this industry frequently work nonstop for long periods while carrying the weight of their trainer, up to six tourists, and the bulky howdah seat. Their bones and tissues may deteriorate as a result of the constant strain on their bodies, permanently damaging their spines.

Older elephants who have spent their entire lives working in the logging, beggar-on-the-street, or tourism industries frequently exhibit a dipped spine, according to Jones. Many of the old rescued elephants at WFFT, which have been used for these practices for many years, exhibit it.

These elephants frequently suffer from years of abuse and overworking in addition to physical deformities, according to reports from the conservation organization Animals Asia.

Wildlife Friends Foundation Thailand

The Wildlife Friends Foundation Thailand rescued the old elephant Pai Lin in 2007. Jones claimed that Pai Lin was frightened when she arrived at WFFT, underweight, dehydrated, and with nasal and eye discharge brought on by a respiratory infection. She also had a lot of pressure sores.

According to the images posted by the WFFT on their website, Pai Lin's back is sunk in contrast to an elephant's typical dome-shaped spine in good health.

Pai Lin

Pai Lin now enjoys a free lifestyle at WFFT's elephant sanctuary where she receives round-the-clock medical attention, specialized supplements, and nutrient-rich food. Her spinal deformity, however, is permanent and will remain that way for the rest of her life. Jones emphasized that Pai Lin's spine is no longer under any weight or pressure, so the damage is not escalating.

Jones claims that Pai Lin is still full of life and playfulness despite being a very old female elephant. She no longer experiences fear, though she is still wary of cows, elephants, and other animals, and she now leads a free, independent life. Jones asserts that the rescued elephant occasionally exhibits mood swings and has a sassy side.

The WFFT hopes that by sharing Pai Lin's story, tourists will reconsider supporting exploitative practices like elephant rides, Newsweek reports.