STOP Thailand from Exporting Elephants
- by: Diana Munoz Colby Steiner Anika Sleem
- recipient: Mr. Adul Chotnisakom, Director of Thailand Department of Trade
For the past 10 years, Thailand has been a leader in protecting Asian elephants, and has not allowed the exportation of them out of the Kingdom. The government has a strict policy prohibiting it. This has been applauded by the world.
However, on April 10, 2019, the Ministry of Commerce issued regulations regarding the rules, procedures and conditions for the permission to export elephants out of the Kingdom again in 2019. This will now allow for the trade of elephants to other countries, effective June 23, 2019, for these situations:
- Sending elephants for research study,
- Sending elephants for good relations, and
- Sending parts or various products derived from elephants for academic research or as antiques/art objects.
This will inevitably fuel poaching in the region for ivory, elephant skin, hair and elephants themselves.
When this exportation was allowed many years ago, Thailand sent elephant as gifts to many countries & royal kingdoms, such as Japan, Sweden, UK , Australia, Korea, Taiwan, Israel, Russia, China, Germany, Sri Lanka, and Laos. These elephants were exported for experimentation/research, gifted as a token of friendship, for zoos, for circuses, etc.
Unfortunately, many of these elephants died while in transport due to illness and cruelty. We are sure history will repeat itself and many lives will be lost.
In Thailand, there are approximately 5,000, registered, captive working elephants, and only 1,000+ remain in the wild. In 1986, the Asian elephant became an endangered species. The passage of time has done them no favors. Their risk of extinction is critical. Any decision made regarding their future ought to be considered with full public and scientific scrutiny. We must be vigilant on their behalf, until they remain safeguarded or until they are no more.
It wasn't until many of Thailand's own citizens protested the exportation of elephants, that Thailand instituted the law to ban it. Yet now, 10 years later Thailand is wanting to digress, straying away from it's leading position, while ignoring the critical situation of an endangered species -- the Asian elephant.
Sign this petition to respectfully ask that Thailand does not revert to past mistakes and start allowing the export of their precious elephants abroad. Thailand for so many years has been a leader in compassion and change for these gentle, sentient giants.
Through many of the sanctuaries throughout Thailand, the world has come to learn how incredibly important the herd is for these precious animals. As well as how important these animals are for the ecosystem. Giving them back their birthright and dignity of autonomy and freedom has been demonstrated by Thailand over the last few years. They have brought great awareness to what these gentle giants need to thrive and be physically and psychologically healthy, while helping to restore the wild herds that are so important to the regeneration of Thailand's forests.
Because of Thailand's progressive measures toward the compassion and kindness to these gentle giants, the country has become one of the world's most visited countries in the world. Tourists can enjoy elephants in their natural habitat rather than viewing them in the exploitative tourism industry where they are continuously chained and abused.
Please note that exporting these Thailand treasures will only add to the rapid decrease in the ever dwindling Asian elephant population, which is already on the verge of extinction. In an ever changing world towards better animal welfare, this would also be detrimental to Thailand's reputation.
History has shown that elephants do not thrive in Foreign Countries. Elephants are not native to such countries as the UK, the USA, Japan, Germany, Russia, etc. Therefore their life expectancy is cut nearly in half. The captive life expectancy in foreign countries is around 40 years, whereas in their homelands they can live up to 70+ years. This happens REGARDLESS of standards set by the Association of Zoos and Aquariums (AZA), World Association for Zoos and Aquariums (WAZA) and CITES (the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora). Many of these countries do not have the weather or environment that elephants can acclimate to, condemning them to a lifetime of misery and suffering.
Most of Thailand's citizens believe that elephants do not belong to anyone, they belong to each other, to the herd, to their native home. They deserve to live free and wild. They are not ours to move about as pawns for human benefit. They are not objects to be bought and sold for the greed of man.
Sign this petition to urge Thailand's government to reconsider this highly detrimental decision to export Thailand's ancient, unique and irreplaceable national treasure before it's too late to revert the path of extinction, and no elephants are left in Thailand.
As you know, for the past 10 years, Thailand has been a leader in protecting Asian elephants and has not allowed the exportation of them out of the Kingdom. The government has a strict policy prohibiting it. This has been applauded by the world. However, it was brought to our attention that on April 10, 2019, the Ministry of Commerce issued regulations, regarding the rules, procedures and conditions, for the permission to export elephants out of the Kingdom again in 2019. This will now allow for the trade of elephants to other countries, effective June 23, 2019, for these situations: 1) sending elephants for research study 2) sending elephants for good relations and 3) sending parts Or various products derived from elephants for academic research or as antiques/art objects. This will inevitably fuel poaching in the region for ivory, elephant skin, hair and elephants themselves.
When this exportation was allowed many years ago, Thailand sent elephant as gifts to many countries & Royal kingdoms; Japan, Sweden, UK , Australia, Korea, Taiwan, Israel, Russia, China, Germany, Sri Lanka even to Laos. These elephants were exported for experimentation/research, gifted as a token of friendship, to zoos, to circuses, etc. Unfortunately, many of these elephants died while in transport due to illness and cruelty. We are sure history will repeat itself and many lives will be lost.
In Thailand there are approximately 5000, registered, captive working elephants, and only 1000+ remain in the Wild. In 1986 the Asian elephant became an endangered species. The passage of time has done them no favors. Their risk of extinction is critical. Any decision made regarding their future ought to be considered with full public and scientific scrutiny.. We must be vigilant on their behalf, until they remain safeguarded or until they are no more.
It wasn't until many of Thailand's own citizens protested the exportation of elephants, that Thailand instituted the law to ban it. Yet now, 10 years later Thailand is wanting to digress, straying away from it's leading position, while ignoring the critical situation of an endangered species; the Asian elephant.
We are respectfully asking that Thailand does not revert to past mistakes and start allowing the export of your precious elephants abroad. Thailand for so many years has been a leader in compassion and change for these gentle, sentient giants.
Through many of the sanctuaries throughout Thailand, the world has come to learn how incredibly important the herd is for these precious animals. As well as, how important these animals are for the ecosystem. Giving them back their birthright and dignity of autonomy and freedom has been demonstrated by Thailand over the last few years. Bringing great awareness to what these gentle giants need to thrive and be physically and psychologically healthy. While helping to restore the wild herds that are so important to the regeneration of Thailand's forests. Because of Thailand's progressive measures toward the compassion and kindness to these gentle giants, Thailand has become one of the world's most visited countries in the world. Tourists can enjoy elephants in their natural habitat rather than viewing them in the exploitative tourism industry where they are continuously chained and abused.
Please note that exporting these Thailand treasures will only add to the rapid decrease in the ever dwindling Asian elephant population; which is already on the verge of extinction. In an ever changing world towards better animal welfare, this would also be detrimental to Thailand's reputation.
"The Department of Foreign Trade recognizes that the elephant is an important animal and is an ancient animal of Thailand for a long time. Legislation regarding the delivery of live elephants abroad is a matter that must be considered carefully. With regard to the interests of Thailand In order to build confidence for the Thai people that foreign countries and related persons can take care of elephant welfare for research and elephant ambassadors.".
History has shown that elephants do not thrive in Foreign Countries. Elephants are not native to such countries as the UK, the USA, Japan, Germany, Russia, etc. Therefore their life expectancy is cut nearly in half. The captive life expectancy in foreign countries is around 40 years, whereas in their homelands they can live up to 70+ years. This happens REGARDLESS of standards set by the Association of Zoos and Aquariums (AZA), World Association for Zoos and Aquariums (WAZA) and CITES (the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora). Many of these countries do not have the weather or environment that elephants can acclimate to, condemning them to a lifetime of misery and suffering.
Most of Thailand's citizens believe that elephants do not belong to anyone, they belong to each other, to the herd, to their native home. They deserve to live free and wild. They are not ours to move about as pawns for human benefit. They are not objects to be bought and sold for the greed of man.
The world urges you to reconsider this highly detrimental decision, to export Thailand's ancient, unique and irreplaceable national treasure; before it's too late to revert the path of extinction and no elephants are left in Thailand.
With sincerest gratitude and respect.
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