Rescued Elephant Carrying Tourists for 25 Years Now With Deformed Spine — Thailand : Animals : Nature World News

The back of an old elephant, which now has a deformed spine, has been severely damaged by 25 years of giving rides to tourists in Thailand, according to rescue officials.

Elephant Rides and Tourist Amusement

According to the Wildlife Friends Foundation Thailand (WFFT), which cautions against the exploitative practices of the wildlife entertainment industry, Pai Lin, who is now around 71 years old, was compelled to carry as many as six tourists at a time for 25 years.

According to Amy Jones, a representative for the WFFT, Pai Lin lived a long and difficult life. Now, WFFT looks after Pai Lin.

Pai Lin was employed for many years in the logging industry, as a prop for street begging, and for elephant trekking. She was made to carry a bulky howdah, or “seat,” that could hold up to six tourists. She has numerous scars from pressure sores as a…