
15/09/2025
Meet Pai Lin, an elephant who endured 25 years of carrying up to six tourists at a time on her back. Her spine, not built for such heavy loads, is now permanently damaged and collapsed from the strain. Unlike horses, elephants have fragile spines that suffer irreversible harm from repeated weight-bearing. Pai Lin also bears scars from pressure sores caused by the heavy saddles strapped to her.
In 2007, the Wildlife Friends Foundation Thailand rescued her, and she now lives freely at their sanctuary, receiving care without the burden of work. However, the physical damage she suffered is permanent.
Elephant tourism often hides a grim reality: it leaves animals with broken bodies and diminished lives. For a compassionate alternative, visit ethical sanctuaries that prioritize observation and respect over riding. Your choices can make a difference