Childhood memories associated with trips to Assam led the author to contemplate the nature of human-wildlife interaction. During one trip to Kaziranga, where elephants were an integral part of the vacation, the author wondered: if visitors enter the elephants' home by riding another elephant, do the elephants themselves know they are guests?
This childhood question proved extremely relevant and forms the basis of the RefuseToRide campaign by Wildlife SOS. The campaign urges travelers to reconsider the practice of elephant riding, which is a common form of ecotourism in India.
Dr. Karthik Satyanarayan, co-founder and CEO of Wildlife SOS, told The Better India about the reasons why the organization believes that refusing such trips is very important.
What happens before an elephant becomes 'ride-ready'?
Although a tourist ride may be short, Wildlife SOS insists that tourists consider the entire process preceding this moment. According to the organization, many elephants used for tourism are captured from the wild as calves, after which they are separated from their mothers and herds. Young animals are subjected to restriction, isolation, deprivation of needs, and beatings until fear forces them to obey human commands.
The few minutes spent by a tourist on an animal constitute only a part of a much longer story. This story includes the process of conditioning the elephant into a 'ride-ready' state, as well as the conditions under which the animal lives and works after the tourists leave. Understanding these aspects of the elephant's life shifts the focus of the question from how pleasant the trip is to what this trip demands from the animal.
What does a tourist ride demand from an elephant's body?
The elephant's body is evolutionarily adapted for moving through forests and grasslands. However, tourism can require this same body to carry a heavy platform and several people for many hours. Wildlife SOS points to the weight of the howdah (a saddle-like platform), which can be around 200 kg. With the addition of tourists, the total load can exceed 300 kg.
Over a long period, this weight puts pressure on the animal's spine and legs. Working elephants in captivity can also suffer from leg problems, sores, and other physical ailments. Wildlife SOS has documented cases of foot ulcers, dehydration, and injuries among working elephants, with some animals being forced to work for extended periods.
Furthermore, there are hours that rarely make it into tourist photographs. Elephants used for tourism can be chained for long periods, having limited ability to move, forage, or interact with other elephants. For a highly social animal, the loss of freedom of movement, choice, and companionship negatively affects both its psychological and physical condition. Wildlife SOS describes stereotypical behavior and psychological distress in elephants that have spent years in captivity.
Look at the calf before looking at the ride
Perhaps the most difficult part of understanding elephant rides begins long before an adult elephant carries the first tourist. It all starts with the calf. Satyanarayan notes: 'Imagine a calf growing up in the wild. It learns everything from its mother and herd—where to go, how to behave, how to survive.'
When a calf is snatched from the wild, it loses its physical freedom, its family, and its social world, as well as the opportunity to learn the skills necessary for survival in its natural habitat. According to Wildlife SOS, some calves are captured from the wild for commercial exploitation, which fuels the illegal ivory trade. This is where the decision of an individual tourist connects to a broader system of demand.
Satyanarayan explains: 'If tourists continue to pay for elephant rides, there is an economic incentive to keep these animals in captivity.' Thus, the question is not just about wanting to ride an elephant, but whether your money helps sustain this demand. For Satyanarayan, the tourist's decision becomes part of a larger picture of nature conservation.
India is home to most of the remaining wild Asian elephants in the world and is considered their last major sanctuary. At the same time, the species faces a number of threats, including habitat loss, encroachment on elephant corridors, poaching, and human-elephant conflict. Removing young elephants from the wild adds another layer to these problems.
When the death of an elephant raised complex questions
Questions about the welfare of elephants working in the tourism sector were reignited after the death of a safari elephant in Kaziranga. On December 11, 2025, a safari elephant named Swarnamoyi, aged 50, collapsed on National Highway-715 after completing two tourist rides. After receiving treatment, she briefly regained consciousness but collapsed again and died. Initial reports indicated respiratory failure.
Her death raised questions about the living conditions of safari elephants. According to Mongabay-India, elephants used for private safaris in Kaziranga may be kept tied near the highway overnight. A local elephant owner, Pinku Ali, told Mongabay-India that Swarnamoyi showed no signs of illness before collapsing.
Another local stakeholder, Dipak Borgohain, told Mongabay-India that the noise from trucks and other heavy vehicles can disturb elephants all night. They also have to wake up around 3 am for morning safaris. He noted that lack of sleep, cold conditions, and early working hours can contribute to stress and exhaustion. Although Swarnamoyi's death itself does not prove that tourist rides caused her demise, her case draws attention to the broader question: under what conditions are elephants working in tourism expected to live, rest, and work?
For the safari tourist, the safari ends when the trip ends. But for the elephant, the conditions of life and work continue.
How does 'tradition' affect the elephant?
Elephants hold an important place in Indian cultural history. They were used by royalty, featured in art and architecture, and employed for military purposes due to their strength. Elephants adorned in elaborate costumes are depicted in historical sites, paintings, and frescoes. Over centuries, this history has created a strong link between elephants, grandeur, and human ceremonies.
Modern tourism has the opportunity to respond to what we now understand about the physical and behavioral needs of elephants. Heta Seshamani, co-founder of Wildlife SOS, told The Better India: 'Tradition cannot justify cruelty.' She added: 'The task is to change people's mindset. Elephants have been part of our cultural traditions for centuries. They are used in temples, but cultural significance does not negate their physical and behavioral needs. We must learn to separate our traditions from practices that cause suffering in captive elephants.'
In Amer Fort, fewer and fewer tourists choose elephant rides. Signs of changing visitor behavior are observed at Amer Fort in Jaipur. Official data shows that the number of elephant rides has significantly decreased compared to pre-pandemic levels. According to data provided by tourism stakeholders, 108,378 tourists took elephant rides in 2019–20. After the pandemic disrupted tourism, the numbers rose again, reaching 79,090 in 2023–24 and 67,018 in 2024–25, before falling to 48,474 in 2025–26. Tourism industry stakeholders attribute this decline to factors such as a decrease in international tourists and changing visitor preferences. Wildlife SOS launched its RefuseToRide campaign in 2018 to accelerate this shift. The campaign utilized informational campaigns, petitions, and advertising aimed at tourists traveling in India's Golden Triangle—Delhi, Agra, and Jaipur. At one point, its message appeared on the headrests of trains on the Gatimaan Express and on Jaipur auto-rickshaws, reaching travelers before they arrived at places offering elephant rides. The idea behind these messages is simple: the traveler's decision is made before they get on the elephant.
So, what choice will you make?
For the tourist, the first step is to refuse the ride. This can be done even before the travel plan is made. Travelers can ask at the hotel or tour operator whether the trip includes elephant rides, performances, or close-contact activities. They can choose activities that allow animals to remain animals, rather than turning them into attractions. The tourist cannot change what has already happened to a captive elephant. They can decide whether their money helps support this demand. For the author, this choice still comes down to the question he asked his grandfather as a child: if we are guests in the elephants' home, perhaps the most important thing we can do is think about what our visit demands of them.
