These photo were all taken at Elephant Parks in Southern India around Karnataka and another in Kerala (last two photos). Most of the elephants have one or two guides around or near by the elephants. It's amazing how calm they were despite having hundreds of people gawking around them throughout the day.
Most of the parks are reserved as sanctuaries for the elephants and land for the communities who have lost their own due to deforestation, urbanization, and environmental changes in the last few decades. Traditionally working with elephants is innate within the foundation of Indian culture so these parks serve as an attempt to capsulate a divine part of their recollection of existence. The amount of tourism that these parks attract within Indian themselves generates enough income to support the upkeep of the community working around the elephants.
And this is coming from someone who hates the circus and the San Diego Zoo.
Most of the parks are reserved as sanctuaries for the elephants and land for the communities who have lost their own due to deforestation, urbanization, and environmental changes in the last few decades. Traditionally working with elephants is innate within the foundation of Indian culture so these parks serve as an attempt to capsulate a divine part of their recollection of existence. The amount of tourism that these parks attract within Indian themselves generates enough income to support the upkeep of the community working around the elephants.
And this is coming from someone who hates the circus and the San Diego Zoo.
Wonderful photos!
ReplyDeleteThank you!
Delete