The Secret Affair of the Asian Elephant

How are elephants trained in Asia? What is a true elephant sanctuary? Which one has been visited by members of the British royalty? And what has a facial got to do with elephants?

Join us in a free film screening and photography exhibition by Time magazine's named Asian Hero.

Meet elephant conservationists in Asia as they are represented together for the first time.

And learn many secrets about Asia’s endangered iconic giants and their captive trade.

There's also a bazaar and auction. What better way to celebrate Christmas than with meaningful gifts? There’s also an organic facial to be won!

When: 13 December 2008, 1030am – 1pm and 2pm – 430pm
Where: Singapore Botanic Gardens Botany Centre



Presented by Wildlife Asia, Singapore Botanic Gardens and National Parks Board, 2902 Gallery, Earth Sanctuary, Elephant Nature Park and Elemantree Media.

Some pictures from the event:






We would like to thank all our sponsors: Earth Sanctuary for their generosity, 2902 Gallery for their kind advice and generosity, The Sukha House for their kind help and generosity, Expressprint and Printpal for their patience and generosity, Grant Periera 7 Grace Ang for their help, the team at Singapore Botanic Gardens for their kind help and professionalism, Yvonne and her team of filmmakers from Temasek Polytechnic for rushing down to share their filming experiences at the event and the graciousness of the faculty Director Moses to allow the flms to be screened, conservationist Roger Mann from Wildlife S.O.S. and Elephant Nature Foundation who willingly paid his own way to present at the event, and ungrudgingly duped to help set up the exhibition till the wee hours of the morning, plus, instead of being driven around, did the driving, and last but not least, for all those who made the event happen through your attendance and for those who lent their support through the purchase of items.

Over S$600 was raised that day, S$200 going to Wildlife S.O.S. and the rest to Elephant Nature Foundation. Photographs are still available for sale. Will soon put the pictures up. Feel free to contact me for more details.

Here's a summary of checklist against the welfare standards of an elephant tourism offering, in case you are planning for a visit:
1. Are the elephants free from open wounds or deformities from injuries?

2. Are commands given verbally and with nudges rather than by hitting the elephant with the bullhook?

3. Are the elephants resting under shade?

4. Is there ample food and clean water where the elephant is resting?

5. Is the elephant enclosure clean?

6. Is there ample slack in the chain enough for the elephant to move around?

7. Are the elephants allowed to forage during the trek?

8. Does the elephant look bigger than the weight it’s carrying?

9. Is there sufficient padding beneath the elephant seats (6-7 layers)?

10. Is a lightwieght material like bamboo used for the seats?

11. Are rubber hoses used to line the ropes that bind the seats to the elephants?

12. Is the elephant allowed to rest after a trek and how long are its working hours?

13. Does the elephant look well fed - no exposed ribs, exposed spinal column, sunken face and diameter of feet the same as legs.

14. Does the elephant look stressed - its trunk on the ground and rocking from side to side?

15. For lone calves, can the mahouts answer confidently the origin of the calf and where its mother is?

16. Are nursing mothers resting with their young calves or are the calves trailing, trying to keep up with their working mothers?

Here's some establishments that are not mere tourist traps but genuinely care for their elephants:
www.elephantnaturefoundation.org
www.blesele.com
www.bring-the-elephant-home.nl/en/
www.wildlifesos.org