Although elephants are large and strong animals, their backs are not designed to carry heavy loads. Elephants have a unique skeletal structure that includes a strong backbone and powerful legs, but their backs are not as sturdy as some other animals that have been bred for carrying loads, such as horses or camels
One of the reasons elephants are not well-suited for carrying loads is that their spines are not straight and horizontal, like in most other four-legged animals. Instead, elephants have a distinctive S-shaped spine, which means that their backs are not as rigid as other animals that are bred for carrying loads. The weight of a rider or a load can place pressure on the elephant’s spine, leading to back pain, injury, or other health problems.
Moreover, elephants have a sensitive skin on their backs, and the pressure from heavy loads or ill-fitting saddles can cause painful sores or abrasions. This can cause long-term damage to the elephant’s health and well-being.
The aforementioned has been corroborated by the director and founder of the Wildlife Friends Foundation in Thailand, Edwin Wiek, in an interview with the CBN.
Wiek, while making reference to an elephant identified as “Pai Lin”,which has been subjected to carrying tourists for 25 years said, “Pai Lin arrived at our sanctuary in 2006 after working in the Thai tourism industry.
“She was given up by her previous owner who felt that she was too slow and always in pain and couldn’t work well anymore,” he added
“Pai Lin’s back still bears scars from old pressure points,” he said. “This continuous pressure on (elephants’) bodies can deteriorate the tissue and bones on their back, causing irreversible physical damage to their spines.”
Therefore, it’s essential to treat elephants with care and respect and avoid using them for activities that may cause them pain or discomfort, such as riding or carrying loads. Instead, responsible tourism and conservation efforts should focus on observing and learning about these magnificent animals in their natural habitats or at ethical sanctuaries, he explained.
