For 25 years, Pai Lin, now around 71 years old, was forced to carry as many as six tourists at a time, according to the Wildlife Friends Foundation Thailand (WFFT), which warns against the “exploitative practices” of the wildlife entertainment industry.
Side by side comparison of Pai Lin (left) with a deformed spine against Thung Ngern (right), another elephant at the WFFT sanctuary with a typical dome-shaped spine. Amy Jones/Wildlife Friends Foundation Thailand
Pai Lin was rescued by the Wildlife Friends Foundation Thailand in 2007. “When she arrived at WFFT, she was terrified, underweight, dehydrated, and suffering from nasal and eye discharge caused by a respiratory infection,” Jones said. “She also had many pressure point sores.”
The photos provided by the WFFT show that Pai Lin’s back is sunken compared to a healthy elephant’s typical dome-shaped spine.
Across Southeast Asia, it is common to find elephant-riding experiences in tourist hotspots and #elephantride has over 7 million views on TikTok. The elephants used in this industry often spend full days with no break carrying the weight of their handler, up to six tourists and the weight of the heavy howdah seat. This constant pressure on their bodies can cause their bones and tissues to deteriorate, causing irreversible damage to their spines.
Photo of an elephant ferrying tourists at a trekking camp in Thailand in 2019. Elephant riding can leave the animals with irreversible deformities. Wildlife Friends Foundation Thailand/Amy Jones
Pai Lin now lives freely at the WFFT elephant sanctuary and is provided with 24-hour veterinary care, specialized supplements and nutrient-dense food. However, her spinal deformity is irreversible and will last for the rest of her life. “Thankfully, as there is no longer any weight or pressure on Pai Lin’s spine, the damage is not getting any worse,” Jones said.
“For a very old lady, she is still very playful with a zest for life,” Jones said. “Her fear has gone—although she is still afraid of elephants, cows, and various other animals—and she lives her life chain-free on her own terms […However,] she [sometimes] has mood swings and can be very sassy.”
Photo of Pai Lin at the WFFT elephant sanctuary Amy Jones/Wildlife Friends Foundation Thailand