The term sanctuary is applied loosely across elephant facilities, from genuine rescue and rehabilitation operations to venues that use welfare language while maintaining exploitative practices.
Distinguishing genuine elephant sanctuaries from welfare-washed tourist operations requires specific criteria: no riding or performance, no hooks or chains, large natural habitat, natural social groupings, and protected contact management with positive reinforcement only. Sanctuaries that genuinely prioritise elephant welfare do not offer trunk selfies or painting demonstrations — these require unnatural conditioning and close contact that undermines wellbeing. Responsible elephant tourism means observing, not interacting.