VOICED: Urban elephants ply Bangkok streets in search of tourist dollars

The video discusses the plight of elephants forced to beg in urban areas, highlighting the drastic decline in their population due to illegal smuggling and mistreatment. Despite laws against it, economic pressures drive handlers to bring elephants to cities, where they face abuse and injury. Some elephants are rescued and rehabilitated, but many cannot return to the wild due to lost instincts. Efforts by organizations aim to save these animals, but challenges remain as most elephants continue to live in urban environments.

What has caused the decline in elephant populations in urban areas?

• Climate change

• Natural disasters

• Illegal smuggling and urban dangers

• Lack of food

What is one of the risks faced by street elephants in urban areas?

• Being injured by vehicles

• Getting sick from pollution

• Being stolen by other handlers

• Getting lost

Why do handlers continue to use elephants for begging despite it being illegal?

• They have no other job skills

• They earn significant daily income

• They want to protest against the government

• They are unaware of the law

What is a major challenge for elephants that have lived in cities when trying to return to the wild?

• They lose their natural instincts

• They cannot adapt to the climate

• They become afraid of other animals

• They forget how to find food

What role does Sowela and her foundation play in the lives of urban elephants?

• They rescue and rehabilitate elephants

• They provide food for street elephants

• They train elephants for city life

• They organize protests against elephant mistreatment