Elephant Shows Draw Tourists In Thailand

PATTAYA, THAILAND - AUGUST 2: An elephant kicks a soccer ball during a performance at Nongnooch Gardens on August 2, 2017 in Pattaya, Thailand. The number of elephants captured and kept for entertainment in Thailand has increased by a third over the last five years with three out of four elephants surveyed in south-east Asia's tourist destinations being used for rides while wearing steel or wooden saddles and tied in chains less than three meters long. The world's largest land mammal is a huge draw for tourists in Africa and Asia but while African elephants are known to be spotted roaming in nature reserves, their Asian cousins are being kept in captivity. According to reports, Thailand has seen a 30% increase in elephant entertainment venues, from circus performances to riding on elephants while around 40% of tourists visiting Thailand said they had been or were planning an elephant ride, translating to around 12.8 million rides in Thailand. (Photo by Brent Lewin/Getty Images)