Why do our elephants have chains at night?

During the day, our elephants are not chained and have the freedom to roam and interact in their natural habitat. At night, for their safety and the safety of local communities, we use 50-metre chains to secure the elephants, preventing them from wandering onto neighbouring farmland. This method ensures their well-being while balancing their physical and psychological needs.

In the past, a tragic incident occurred where a pregnant elephant ventured onto farmland and was shot, leading to the loss of her baby and a serious injury. To avoid such risks, we believe using chains in their natural environment is more beneficial than confining them to permanent enclosures. At our center, “enclosure” refers to an area that is fenced off to contain the elephants. These can range from natural areas with electric fencing to more structured environments. We avoid permanent concrete enclosures due to their limitations, opting instead for rotating chains in forested areas to offer the elephants a more enriching experience.

Chains allow the elephants to access a diverse range of natural foods, enabling them to engage in key behaviours like foraging, digging for roots, and stripping bark from trees. This variety is vital for their physical health and better prepares them for a possible return to the wild. In a confined enclosure, their diet would be restricted and less nutritious.

Elephants urinate around 100 litres per day, and a permanent concrete enclosure could harm their feet over time. Chains allow us to rotate their resting spots, ensuring they sleep on natural, soft surfaces, which is far healthier for their well-being. Even well-designed enclosures can lead to boredom and stress, as elephants quickly damage and alter their environment. By rotating their sleeping locations with chains, the elephants experience more variety in their surroundings, which promotes natural behaviours and reduces the likelihood of stress-related issues.