OUR LOVE FOR ELEPHANTS

Tusk is named after its founders passion for elephants and their conservation.  She hopes to use her fashion and design company as a catalyst to promote awareness and bring change to the abuse and poaching of elephants and the destruction of their natural habitat. 

Each year Tusk will select a different elephant based charity to donate to.  A portion of each sale from the Swim line and the Bungalow line will go to this organization.  Knowing that large charities are pumping millions of dollars into initiatives in Africa, Tusk ist trying to put its efforts into an area that isn't as commonly discussed.  An area where change can be made with our own voice and our own actions, not just our money. 

Tusk has yet to select an organization for 2021 as its charity but is looking for an organization dedicated to the removal of elephants from the Asian tourism industry.  In addition to bringing awareness to the treatment of the trained and working elephants.  We have all seen countless videos on the internet of elephants painting pictures, or people riding on their backs through the jungles of Thailand, or performing tricks or playing soccer.  We are all guilty to a degree of believing that elephants are just smart and know how to do these things easily.  Although they are intelligent creatures they are extensively trained to perform these activities.  What tourists don’t see is what they endure to learn these skills.

 As EARS Asia explains in the video below, many elephants in the tourism industry go through something called the Pajaan.  This is described as the “divorce between the spirit and the body.” Baby elephants are lassoed and taken from their mothers, some as young as 6 months, and then beaten by the mahouts (trainers) until they have no will to live.  The mahouts then start feeding the baby and teaching it commands until it realizes that it has no choice but to respect and obey the orders.  The elephants are given drugs so that they can work the long hours and sedatives to be calm around the crowds of tourists and cameras.  Some of the street begging elephants only survive 3-5 years.  By continuing to promote particular elephant exploitation we are allowing the mistreatment of these gentle and sensitive giants.  

EARS Asia’s video gives more insight on the mistreatment of elephants in the tourism industry.  If you do wish to interact with elephants while in Asia we ask that you visit EARSAsia.org for a list of resources on elephant sanctuaries.

 

An Elephant Never Forgets - A Groundbreak Productions Feature Documentary from Groundbreak Productions on Vimeo.