Riding elephants » Australia Zoo

Riding elephants
02-09-2008

Just wondering what you all think of this? I'm particularly interested in the "guests can take part in riding elephants" guessing they would be African Elephants gieven the African theme. What are your thoughts?

Here's the link Australia Zoo - About Us - In The News

03-09-2008

Ummm........

Thats all i am going to say, you all know what i am thinking.

03-09-2008

I agree with you Ben, Ummm

03-09-2008

What are you thinking Ben?????

03-09-2008

Does everyone remember the years of Elephants rides in Zoos and who it is frowned upon now, is it back in fashion again?

p.s. I dont acctually remeber it just know about it :P

04-09-2008

When Taronga were starting to plan for the new elephant enclosure, there was mention of elephant rides coming back. The 'thought' (possibly PR machine, rather than animal dept) was that the older generation remembered fondly of riding elephants when they visited the zoo, so why deny this generation. Madness.

04-09-2008

Exactly why is there a problem with riding elephants?

Is it any different to riding camels?

04-09-2008

yes, camels have a hump

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04-09-2008

Some have two

04-09-2008

I don't think elephant rides are bad in and of themselves. After all iot is used in India as a safe way for tourists to view tigers in the wild and to experience elephants. However in zoos it has too strong connotations of the 'bad old days' when zoos were primarily about entertainment. To bring back elephant rides would be taking away from the idea of zoos as conservation and education areas. I think this is why many of us opposed the take over of Werribee because the focus would have been on a funfair.
Elephant rides would be a slippery slope to take and give opponents another weopon to use. However where do you draw the line. What about Seal shows and bird shows ?

04-09-2008

Likewise the public feeding of the big cats, which was once a major attraction, but is now politically incorrect and frowned on as sensationalist entertainment.

04-09-2008

Unless the public PAY to feed the big cats which is deemed zoopolitically correct!

04-09-2008

I just don't feel this is even needed, there is just no point, elephant's back (asian and African) aren't actually designed for weight to be put on top of them, if we start with this who knows what others will base this upon and create,

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05-09-2008

Actually Sim my point was that it was madness to consider riding elephants again in zoos. Even if you take away the political correctness about being on the back of a 'majestic beast' or sending mixed messages about conservation, the sheer fact is that they are bloody big and dangerous. They are the number one fatal mix in zoos and I have known of too many keepers that have been injured in daily contact. Mind you camels have a nasty bite too...

05-09-2008

Elephants are probably more friendly but more sophisticated that Camels, though the wedge between the camels hump is very sturdy and so it could take a quite good deal of stress,

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