# @thewayfaress on Instagram

- **Type:** Video
- **Original URL:** https://www.instagram.com/p/DDHpiv3M7KR
- **Gondola URL:** https://gondola.cc/posts/31338518-thewayfaress-instagram
- **Thumbnail:** https://img.gondola.cc/tr:w-,h-,fo-auto/postThumbnails/fc4e46d7a2.jpg
- **Posted:** 2024-12-03T14:32:40.000+00:00
- **Account Owner:** The Wayfaress (@thewayfaress) — https://gondola.cc/thewayfaress

## Caption

These elephants used to live in captivity, forced to give rides to tourists at Angkor Wat… but now they get to live out their well-deserved retirement, freely roaming the 400 hectares of forest at kulenelephantforest. 

Sadly they can’t be released into the wild for several reasons — after living so long in captivity, they wouldn’t survive; plus they face threats caused by deforestation & undetonated land-mines in the area. 💔 Elephant conservation isn’t black & white but here’s what you can look for in an ethical experience:

• no elephant riding for tourists
• adequate space in nature to roam & exercise
• no chains & forced restraints
• proper veterinarian care on-site
• repopulation & research focus 
• limited number of tourists/hours of interaction to avoid overstimulating the elephants (they’re sensitive!) 
• observing them in their natural habitats/activities VS. forced entertainment/performing 
• sign of happiness like playing with each other, touching/comforting each other, being vocal/trumpeting, caring for their calves, & showing curiosity about one another’s food
• involvement of the local (human) community in sustainable/ethical ways 

Happy to see these elephants thriving & free to live out the rest of their lives without exploitation. ❤️🐘 

📍Siem Reap, Cambodia 
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#cambodia #siemreap #elephants #animalrescue #wildlifeconservation #travelbucketlist #adventuretravel #bucketlistadventures #natgeotravel #earthpix

## Stats

- **Views:** 3,499
- **Likes:** 335
- **Shares:** 0
- **Comments:** 20

## Credits

| Name | Username | Profile | Role |
| --- | --- | --- | --- |
| The Wayfaress | @thewayfaress | https://gondola.cc/thewayfaress | Influencer |

## Tags

travelbucketlist, elephants, adventuretravel, cambodia, bucketlistadventures, wildlifeconservation, siemreap, natgeotravel, earthpix, animalrescue

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