Most abuse is done in secret and behind closed doors.
But there is a growing phenomenon in Thailand and other parts of the world where elephants are trained to paint using deliberate abuse and torture. Many people include celebrated international art galleries see this as a beautiful thing and even an aid to conservation. That it is not!!
Except for a few notable organizations in India and Thailand all elephants used in the tourist industry are trained using a system which involves negative reinforcement by tying the baby elephant down so its legs are fully strength then literally beating it until is spirit is broken or leaving it in a locked cage without food or water.
In Thailand this training method is called Phaa-Jan which literally means breaking the spirit. See National Geographic site for more details: http://news.nationalgeographic.com/news/2002/10/photogalleries/1016_phajaan3.html.
Teaching it to paint is achieved by issuing voice commands whilst stabbing the trunk with a sharp nail. It the poor 3 year old do not take the instructions easily a metal hook is sometimes driven into its bleeding head, literally forcing it to learn.
If you are like me and our appalled by this unnecessary tourist activity please add your voice to this protest.
This protest will be sent to any international organization that sells elephant paintings that have no regard for elephant welfare.
