With elephant safaris declining, Sauraha operators turn to ‘bush walks’
Summary
Elephant safaris in Chitwan National Park have declined significantly, prompting Sauraha tourism operators to adopt elephant bush walks as an alternative that is more elephant-friendly and caters to changing visitor preferences.
Key Points
- Elephant safaris in Sauraha have declined from 90 to around 45 elephants due to high maintenance costs and changing tourist preferences.
- The Covid-19 pandemic exacerbated the decline, with some elephant owners selling or returning their elephants to India.
- Growing international criticism, particularly from European tourists and organizations, has reduced demand for elephant rides.
- Tourism operators are now promoting ‘elephant bush walks’ where tourists walk alongside elephants, offering a more animal-friendly experience.
