Captive elephants used in logging and tourism in Myanmar, Thailand, and other Southeast Asian countries face severe welfare problems from overwork, poor nutrition, and social isolation.
Working elephants occupy a unique welfare position: they cannot easily be released to the wild, yet current working conditions cause chronic suffering in many cases. Logging work causes physical injury and exhaustion. Social isolation from other elephants causes psychological harm. Sanctuary-based retirement programs provide better welfare but are expensive and limited in capacity.