The Surin Round Up, Thailand This time last year I was on a research trip with Louise and we attended The Surin Roundup in Thailand. In a nutshell the Surin elephant festival, which is held annually on the third weekend of November, features “the world’s largest elephant buffet”, an elephant show and a carnival. But what is the reality? It is a three-day festival of abuse. The elephants are hungry, thirsty, overworked in extremely hot temperatures and are rarely afforded shade or rest. Mahouts bring their elephants (over 200 in 2013) to the town centre where the animals are forced to perform and give rides for hours, day and night. During the show, elephants are subjected to fake cannon fire performing war scenes, play a football match, and are generally subjected to a range of degrading tasks. Then they are back onto the streets begging and giving rides throughout the nighttime carnival until the tourists leave, often in the wee hours. To read more about the Surin Roundup, visit EARS’ website: earsasia.org/why_we_help/Pages/surin_roundup.html Also here are the photo albums from our previous visits: 2012: https://facebook/media/set/?set=a.493816347317160.122653.167055773326554&type=3 2013: https://facebook/media/set/?set=a.664957740203019.1073741868.167055773326554&type=3 There is still SO much work to be done here. Rescuing one elephant at a time will ensure that those individuals are protected from the barbarism of the Roundup, however we need to spread the message that this is NOT a fun-filled event for the whole family; the elephants are not happily performing. The Roundup is life threatening for the elephants as well as their mahouts and the tourists; deaths have been reported almost annually. One day, by working together, I know that we can effect change. We can see it in our lifetimes if we unite, if we send the message out far and wide that this is not how elephants should live. That day will come. Sending lots of love to all the elephants who are back in their camps, only to continue to trek and perform, or are shackled in chains. Our thoughts are with each of you, supporting your broken backs, your sore feet and your rumbly bellies. We are thinking of you. Love Carmel xxx
Posted on: Fri, 28 Nov 2014 09:00:01 +0000
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