Tens of thousands of Asian elephants are kept in captivity across Asia for tourism, temple ceremonies, and logging, with serious welfare concerns about training methods and living conditions.
Asian elephants in captivity face severe welfare challenges. The phajaan training process involves deliberate infliction of pain and fear to break the animal's will - a process that leaves lasting psychological trauma. Working elephants in tourism often spend 12+ hour days carrying tourists with ill-fitting equipment, are kept isolated on chains at night, and are denied the complex social interactions essential for elephant wellbeing. Heat stress and foot problems from hard surfaces are common health complaints. Welfare-positive sanctuaries that allow elephants to roam in large areas with social companions represent a dramatically better alternative.