Phuket Elephant Sanctuary
Photo credit: Phuket Animal Sanctuary / Facebook
Phuket Elephant Sanctuary, the only elephant sanctuary on the island of Phuket in Southern Thailand, is dedicated to saving elephants rather than generating eco-tourism – but that doesn’t mean you can’t visit. Numerous elephant sanctuaries allow patrons to bathe with the elephants, but Phuket has banned the pastime because it stresses the animals out.
According to their website, elephants love bathing in the water and playing in the mud. They need plenty of space to splash and roll around. Having humans present for bathtimes definitely ups the amount the sanctuary can charge for entry, but it’s at the cost of elephants living peacefully. Phuket’s elephants are their first priority – not people.
