Last year, I volunteered at Elephant Nature Park in Thailand and had the time of my life. Now, the park is undergoing a series of raids from the government. What was the government looking for? A ton of wild elephants. What did they find? The 35 formerly domesticated and working elephants that are recovering at ENP in peace. The raids are a response to ENP's fight for reforms when it comes to the treatment of elephants in Thailand and the killing/poaching of elephants in Thai wildlife parks. They are unnecessary and unfounded.
Having met the founder of ENP, Lek, I know that these raids are not only unnecessary but an attempt by the government to avoid the issue of elephant abuse and pain. Lek is an amazing person and the park does not deserve this treatment. If anything, it deserves more support.
Though Thailand may seem worlds away from where you sit, you can still do something.
For one, sign the petition. Apparently, the support of the public is one of the reasons why no elephants at ENP have been used as pawns in a political game just yet. They're getting close to the goal of 50,000 signatures, so every name counts!