Have you taken an elephant ride in Thailand or Nepal? If you have then have a second look at the weapon the mahouts used.
In Thailand, from Phuket to Kanchanaburi to Koh Samui, the mahouts used spikes to hit at the elephants. However, in Nepal, the mahouts used only sticks that do not hurt.
Lesson learnt: Are the mahouts from Thailand more cruel? I just love the humble and animal loving people of Nepal.
Nepal 1 vs Thailand 0.
The first 3 photographs showed the mahouts using sticks. Pictures from Chitwan National Park, Nepal.
The stick won't hurt the elephant at all.
Can see the stick clearly.
Both mahouts only carry sticks.
All photographs below were from Thailand. The first one below was from Phuket Zoo and the rest from Kanchanaburi, Thailand.
No different in a zoo.
Just look at the fearful looking baby elephant's eyes!
This guy using the spike to drag the elephant!
Can you see the old wounds on the head?
The weapon of fear!