Local Guides


  • HOME

  • TOURS
    • Bali
    • Bukit Lawang
    • Flores
    • Tana Toraja
    • Tanjung Puting

  • Eco-Blog

  • REFUND POLICY

  • CONTACT

Why you shouldn’t visit Tangkahan Elephant Camp in Sumatra

August 3, 2020 by Local-Guides

  • Share
  • Tweet
  • LinkedIn
  • Email
Tangkahan is a remote village in Gunung Leuser National Park (Sumatra) and is famous for its elephant sanctuary. The elephants have in the past been used for logging trees. As the logging destroyed the rainforest and triggered stricter environmental regulations, elephant logging became illegal and locals were forced to look for new ways to make money: The Tangkahan Elephant Sanctuary. We’ll explain why it is not a real sanctuary and why you should not visit it.

Tangkahan Sanctuary


Why You Shouldn’t Visit It

Why you shouldn't visit Tangkahan elephant sanctuary in Sumatra
Content hide
1 The Main Activities in Tangkahan: Elephant Washing & Riding
2 Elephant washing sounds innocent but requires physical and psychological “crushing”
3 Elephant riding can cause permanent spinal injuries and depression
4 Animals in a real sanctuary live in freedom with little human contact
5 Do proper research before visiting a wildlife sanctuary
6 There is Hope…
7 A final word: Spread the word & Share

The Main Activities in Tangkahan: Elephant Washing & Riding

The Elephant Camp is a popular destination for travellers in Sumatra because of its proximity to Bukit Lawang – one of the best gateways in Sumatra to see orangutans. You can visit Tangkahan from Bukit Lawang on a day trip. While they are only 20 km apart from each other, the bumpy journey easily takes 2 hours.

At the Tangkahan Elephant Camp you can bath the elephants, ride the elephants or do both. These tours are offered twice a day: starting at 9:00h and at 14:00h.

The site positions itself as an ecotourism destination. And while it has actually started with good intentions to end illegal logging, it is not a true sanctuary in our view. The label is only used for greenwashing to cash in on people’s willingness to spend money in the name of environmental protection.

Elephant washing sounds innocent but requires physical and psychological “crushing”

Seemingly innocent interactions with elephants could already be very problematic. According to World Animal Protection the bathing is oftentimes stressful for the elephants, especially when dealing with groups of excited people.

Elephant washing in Tangkahan Elephant Camp

Visitors can wash elephants in Tangkahan Elephant Sanctuary. As beautiful as the selfies are, as brutal is the abuse it takes to get elephants into submission to show unnatural behaviour such as being washed by humans.

But the real horror is the torture required to bring the elephants into submission to safely interact with tourists: A technique called “elephant crushing”. This includes forcibly taking elephant babies from their mothers, chaining and cruel beating to tame them.

Chained elephant in Tangkahan Elephant Sanctuary

Elephants are chained in the Tangkahan Elephant Sanctuary.

Elephant riding can cause permanent spinal injuries and depression

As strong as elephants look, their spines cannot support the weight of people. Doing so frequently can lead to permanent spinal injuries. There are further complications from having a chair attached to their backs which painfully rubs on their backs and cause blisters that can become infected.

elephant riding in Tangkahan elephant sanctuary

Visitors can ride elephants in Tangkahan Elephant Sanctuary. This can cause permanent injuries on the elephant’s back as it is too weak to carry things.

Moreover, elephants are a lot like humans: They socialize, have families and friends, feel pain and happiness. When they are in trekking camps, they are separated from their herd and can get depressed.

Removing Elephant Feces in Tangkahan

A mahout in Tangkahan removes the feces of constipated elephant by hand.

The Tangkahan elephants are structurally stressed and therefore they have chronic constipation. An inconvenient consequence is that the mahouts in Tangkahan put their arms in the anus of the elephants to remove their feces.

Slide

Animals in a real sanctuary live in freedom with little human contact

Ethical wildlife sanctuaries care for animals that have been rescued from abusive situations. The end goal should be to release them again in the wild (as has been done with many orangutans around Bukit Lawang). And when the animals are too traumatised or injured to ever return to the wild again they should live in the camp in as much freedom as possible with little human contact.

As there should never be any physical contact between visitors and elephants, ethical elephant camps work on an observation-only model. This still provides jobs and a valuable income to local people while it genuinely helps elephants in need.

Do proper research before visiting a wildlife sanctuary

Unfortunately there are a lot of shady sanctuaries like the Tangkahan Elephant Camp. But that doesn’t mean there you can’t find an ethical sanctuary to visit.

Do your own research and make sure your once-in-a-life-time elephant experience is not based on a lifetime elephant torture. Ignore the self-labelling and beware that even tour agencies do not always know. There are many genuine orangutan tour companies in Bukit Lawang that offer tours also to Tangkahan simply because it is the thing to do and they just never thought of the unethical side of elephant riding and washing.

The first and easiest step is to check if the elephant sanctuary you’re thinking of visiting is accredited by the Global Federation of Animal Sanctuaries. If it isn’t it does not yet mean that it is shady. Read reviews and contact the sanctuary with a lot of questions. One yes to these questions could already be a red flag:

  • Do the elephants perform for visitors (such as painting or standing)?
  • Can visitors feed, wash, ride or touch elephants?
  • Are the baby elephants separated at times from their mother?
  • Are the elephants chained (usually at nights)?
  • Are the elephants bought (instead of rescued)?
  • Do they use bullhooks against elephants in any circumstances?

But despite a thorough research you may still end up in an unethical sanctuary. In that case, help fellow travellers by leaving a review and posting photos or videos. In some cases it will even motivate the camps to improve their practices.

Tourists posing with Elephants in Thailand - by National Geographic Channel

A British family enjoys a photo shoot with juvenile elephants at Lucky Beach on Phuket, Thailand. Many travelers, unaware of the training the elephants endure, view such picturesque experiences as the highlight of their trip. Source: National Geographic Channel.

There is Hope…

Since we had published this post a several years ago, the Tangkahan Elephant Sanctuary decided to no longer offer elephant riding tours to travellers to address repeated complaints.

This is a fantastic first step and it shows how powerful travelers are! When travellers no longer actively support an organization that mistreats elephants, it is in the sanctuary’s financial interest to treat them better.

However, not offering elephant rides is not enough. Elephants are still ridden by their carers, the mothers are still separated from their children, and they are still beaten and chained into submission.

The most powerful thing that we can do is to bombard Tangkahan Elephant Camp with emails about why we will not visit them, and what they should change in their behaviour for us to reconsider. For the sake of impact, remain polite when explaining your issues with their treatments. You can contact their office via WhatsApp on the number +62 813-9624-2503.

No inspiration what to write? Here’s an example.

Dear Tangkahan Elephant Camp,

As an animal lover, I was looking forward to visit an elephant sanctuary during my visit to Sumatra. Since there aren’t many elephant sanctuaries in Sumatra I came across of your organization.

It is with enthusiasm that I have read about your recent decision to no longer offer elephant ride tours. I applaud this development. However, it is with sadness that I read that your carers still ride elephants, that elephants are sometimes chained and that the mothers are separated from their children. It is for this reason that I have decided to not visit your sanctuary.

I kindly advice you to reconsider the treatment of the elephants. Besides this being the morally just thing to do, it would also be in your financial interest since travellers increasingly look for eco-friendly activities. Please let me know whenever you have adopted a more elephant-friendly treatment, so that we can support your organization with a joyful visit the next time we are around.

Best,
xxx

A final word: Spread the word & Share

We have written this article because we belief in the power of ecotourism and it hurts to see greenwashing attempts undermine the true ecotourism concept.

It is not uncommon that animal camps that chain and abuse animals label themselves as sanctuaries to lure more visitors. Unfortunately, it is a very simple and successful strategy that unaware travellers easily fall for.

Could you help us spread the word, protect travellers from a big disappointment and help them choose true ecotourism destinations to support environmentally friendly initiatives? You help a lot by sharing this article with your network.

Thanks you!
Local Guides
Together we stand strong Local Guides

  • Share
  • Tweet
  • LinkedIn
  • Email

Filed Under: Environmental Blog Tagged With: Bukit Lawang, Eco-tourism, Sanctuary, Tangkahan

Slide
Responsible Tourism
We apply the 3 pillars of ecotourism in everything we do.

Conservation

We fight for our rainforest and donate to wildlife rehabilitation programs.

Local Welfare

Our tours and donation campaigns are built on community engagement.

Education

Enhance your cultural and environmental awareness via our tours and eco blog.

Covid-19 Devastates Indonesians in Tourism & How to Help
Covid-19 Devastates Indonesians in Tourism & How to Help
Why you shouldn’t visit Tangkahan Elephant Sanctuary in Sumatra
Why you shouldn’t visit Tangkahan Elephant Sanctuary in Sumatra
Why Palm Oil Destroys our Rainforest and Kills Orangutans
Why Palm Oil Destroys our Rainforest and Kills Orangutans
What is Ecotourism & Why is it so Important?
What is Ecotourism & Why is it so important?
previous arrow
next arrow

About Us

We are a community of local guides in Indonesia with a passion for the outdoors and our environment. We fight for our rainforests, we support our local communities, and we provide ecotours for local prices to promote responsible travel.

A True Treasure!
A True Treasure!

Me and my family first did an orangutan tour with LG in Kalimantan, and we were so incredibly amazed about the thorough (really unprecedented to me!!!) service and their positive mindset, that I decided to visit another location in which they also offer tours -> Tana Toraja. Wow! While everyone visits the casual burial sites, ...

Tana Toraja

Amazing Experience!
Amazing Experience!

We had an amazing time. Our guide, Adhi, met us the evening before at our guest house (Sam’s bungalow) and went through the plan for the next couple of days and everything we’d need to bring. He then met us again after breakfast the next morning. He organised for our bags to be stored whilst ...

Tana Toraja

Great Experience
Great Experience

3 days 2 nights was the perfect amount of time, spend the days searching for animals and the nights in a shanti camp, eating well prepared meals, with some card trick entertainment. Anytime less than this trekking you get stuck in a bit of a tourist trap at the semi wild orangutans and in season ...

Bukit Lawang

Just Incredible
Just Incredible

Local-Guides helped us incredibly with all our questions beforehand via email, and always replied promptly, enthusiastically and patiently! We booked through them also a very comfortable (airco, shower) accommodation, beautifully bordering the jungle, for a supergood price. And our guides were spectacular! Firstly, I was positively surprised that despite the good price we had, we ...

Bukit Lawang

Choose Guide Budi
Choose Guide Budi

Have booked the excellent guide Budi for a few days with my mother and my fiance and was more than satisfied what our guide Budi shows us. He is very professional and knows so much about the torajan history, which he explains in an good english very enthusiastic (he loves his job, the nature and ...

Tana Toraja

Fantastic 8D7N Tour!
Fantastic 8D7N Tour!

After a splendid tour with LG (local-guides dot org) in Kalimantan, we decided to do the 8 Day Sumatra Tour with them, and it was just another dream come true! We were a bit unsure in the beginning because the price was so much lower than other tour agencies, but everything was super nicely organized! ...

Bukit Lawang

Comfortable private boat tour with family
Comfortable private boat tour with family

Our boat tour in Tanjung Puting with local guides was perhaps the best holiday experience i have ever had in my life. Therefore we decided to do the komodo boat tour also with local guides, and again they were truly amazing. Upon arrival in Labuan Bajo, me and my family were picked up from the ...

Flores

Very Friendly & Helpful Guides
Very Friendly & Helpful Guides

Haben über local guides die klotok Tour gebucht. Budi holte uns einen Tag vor Beginn der Tour abends nach einer langen Busfahrt von Makassar in Rantepao ab. Wir besprachen die Tour, aßen lecker zu Abend und er brachte uns in unsere etwas entferntere Unterkunft von Rantepao,was wohl sonst nicht so üblich ist. Eine Unterkunft Nähe ...

Tana Toraja

Amazing Trek!
Amazing Trek!

We did a 3 days/2 nights trek with our guide Randy. He was so helpful, was constantly looking for animals and told us everything about the flora and fauna. Also, he was really considerate about if we could keep up. We saw many different animals and beautiful nature. The camps were also really nice, the ...

Bukit Lawang

Wundervolle Boottour!
Wundervolle Boottour!

Wir hatten im voraus die Tour über die Webseite von Local Guides gebucht und unsere Erwartungen wurden mehr als übertroffen. Es war einmalig! Wir wurden von unserem Hotel pünktlich abgeholt und zum Boot gebracht. Alles war sehr gut organisiert. Unser Guide Joe Bowo – ein ehemaliger Ranger des Tanjung Puting National Park (siehe auch den ...

Tanjung Puting

previous arrowprevious arrow
next arrownext arrow
Why you shouldn’t visit Tangkahan Elephant Camp in Sumatra
Environmental Blog
Why you shouldn’t visit Tangkahan Elephant Camp in Sumatra
What is Ecotourism & Why is it so Important?
How Palm Oil Destroys Rainforests and Kills Orangutans
Covid-19 Devastates Indonesians in Tourism & How to Help

Our Tours

  • Bali Day Tours
  • Bukit Lawang Jungle Trekking
  • Flores Komodo & Overland
  • Tana Toraja Funeral & Village Stay
  • Tanjung Puting Orangutans

Latests posts

  • Nature & wildlife experience we never will forget!
  • Can’t recommend enough! Incredible 5D/4N tour
  • Why you shouldn’t visit Tangkahan Elephant Camp in Sumatra
  • What is Ecotourism & Why is it so Important?

Further Info

  • Contact Us
  • Affiliate Login
  • Affiliate Registration

Social Media

  • HOME
  • TOURS
    • Bali
    • Bukit Lawang
    • Flores
    • Tana Toraja
    • Tanjung Puting
  • ECO-BLOG
  • REFUND POLICY
  • CONTACT