下载App
旅行
账户
Emil M
Beautiful experience, but left with mixed feelings
Maharaja Elephants Save Project的点评
点评：We visited Maharaja Elephants Save Project and had a very unique and intimate experience. We were the only tourists there, and we got to feed and bathe the elephants — even sit on one in the water. During the bath, the elephant seemed relaxed and calm, even closing its eyes. The staff was friendly and welcoming toward us.
However, afterward I started thinking more critically about what we saw.
One of the elephants was swaying back and forth when we arrived, which I’ve learned can be a sign of stress in captive animals. The handler shouted a lot at the elephant to make it follow commands — they said it was just how they “keep control,” but it felt a bit harsh. The elephant also seemed reluctant to move at times. Although no physical force was used in front of us, the handler did carry a bullhook (a stick with a metal tip), which made me uncomfortable, even if it wasn’t used.
They told us the elephants were “domesticated,” but I’ve since learned that elephants aren’t truly domesticated like dogs or horses — they’re wild animals that have been trained, often through force at a young age, to obey humans.
There were no chains, no circus shows, and the area was relatively open and natural. But at the end of the day, the elephants weren’t free — they were being used for human entertainment, even if it was a softer, calmer version of what you might see at bigger tourist venues.
Conclusion:
This isn’t the worst kind of elephant attraction — and I understand why it’s appealing. But if you care about animal welfare, it’s worth thinking twice. I now know I’d rather visit a sanctuary where elephants can just be observed from a distance and live on their own terms
However, afterward I started thinking more critically about what we saw.
One of the elephants was swaying back and forth when we arrived, which I’ve learned can be a sign of stress in captive animals. The handler shouted a lot at the elephant to make it follow commands — they said it was just how they “keep control,” but it felt a bit harsh. The elephant also seemed reluctant to move at times. Although no physical force was used in front of us, the handler did carry a bullhook (a stick with a metal tip), which made me uncomfortable, even if it wasn’t used.
They told us the elephants were “domesticated,” but I’ve since learned that elephants aren’t truly domesticated like dogs or horses — they’re wild animals that have been trained, often through force at a young age, to obey humans.
There were no chains, no circus shows, and the area was relatively open and natural. But at the end of the day, the elephants weren’t free — they were being used for human entertainment, even if it was a softer, calmer version of what you might see at bigger tourist venues.
Conclusion:
This isn’t the worst kind of elephant attraction — and I understand why it’s appealing. But if you care about animal welfare, it’s worth thinking twice. I now know I’d rather visit a sanctuary where elephants can just be observed from a distance and live on their own terms
翻译：我们参观了玛哈拉贾大象保护项目，获得了一次非常独特而亲密的体验。我们是那里唯一的游客，有机会给大象喂食、洗澡——甚至坐在一头大象身上泡在水里。洗澡时，大象看起来很放松平静，甚至闭上了眼睛。工作人员对我们很友好，也很热情。
然而，之后我开始更加批判地思考我们所看到的景象。
我们到达时，其中一头大象前后摇晃，我了解到这可能是圈养动物压力的表现。驯象师对大象大声喊叫，让它服从命令——他们说这只是他们“保持控制”的方式，但感觉有点粗暴。大象有时似乎也不愿意移动。虽然驯象师没有在我们面前使用任何武力，但他确实拿着一个象钩（一种带金属尖的棍子），即使没有用，也让我感到不舒服。
他们告诉我们大象是“家养的”，但我后来才知道，大象并非像狗或马那样真正被驯化——它们是野生动物，通常在幼年时就被强制训练，以服从人类。
那里没有锁链，没有马戏表演，而且环境相对开放自然。但归根结底，大象并非自由——它们被用来为人类提供娱乐，即使这种娱乐比你在大型旅游景点看到的要温和、平静得多。
结论：
这并非最糟糕的大象景点——我理解它为什么吸引人。但如果你关心动物福利，那就值得三思。现在我知道，我宁愿去一个可以远距离观察大象、让它们按照自己的方式生活的保护区。
然而，之后我开始更加批判地思考我们所看到的景象。
我们到达时，其中一头大象前后摇晃，我了解到这可能是圈养动物压力的表现。驯象师对大象大声喊叫，让它服从命令——他们说这只是他们“保持控制”的方式，但感觉有点粗暴。大象有时似乎也不愿意移动。虽然驯象师没有在我们面前使用任何武力，但他确实拿着一个象钩（一种带金属尖的棍子），即使没有用，也让我感到不舒服。
他们告诉我们大象是“家养的”，但我后来才知道，大象并非像狗或马那样真正被驯化——它们是野生动物，通常在幼年时就被强制训练，以服从人类。
那里没有锁链，没有马戏表演，而且环境相对开放自然。但归根结底，大象并非自由——它们被用来为人类提供娱乐，即使这种娱乐比你在大型旅游景点看到的要温和、平静得多。
结论：
这并非最糟糕的大象景点——我理解它为什么吸引人。但如果你关心动物福利，那就值得三思。现在我知道，我宁愿去一个可以远距离观察大象、让它们按照自己的方式生活的保护区。
© 2025 Tripadvisor 版权所有。
部分照片由 VFM Leonardo 提供。
TripAdvisor公司对外部网站的内容一概不负责。优惠价格中不含税和其他费用。
ICP证：沪B2-20200433
沪ICP备20013175号
沪公网安备31010502005427号鹰程信息技术（上海）有限公司
