An interesting but distressing article from the UK's Daily Mail Online concerning the plight of donkeys used to carry tourists at Petra and the Pyramids.

Petra Donkeys

Maybe the tourists should try carrying the donkeys for a change!

Donate to Brooke Charity to help give working animals in the Middle East a better life.

I definitely agree that it is a very sad situation for the donkeys and it is too bad that more tourists don't understand the reality of life for these working animals. Unfortunately I would say that many other animals are in similar circumstances such as elephants in SE Asia and many "performing" zoo animals.

If people would only realize that the best way (perhaps?) to end such suffering is to no longer make it profitable for others to "use" animals in this way, then hopefully things would change.

The legacy of Man's use/abuse of animals is a very pitiful one indeed.

This is such an easy way to make money that it's hard to take that away from people in the tourism industry... People have relied on animals for work since the beginning of civilization... I don't think there is an answer, besides informing rich/lazy tourists that they don't need a donkey to carry them around.

Yes, it’s obviously a difficult balance but there does seem to be need for some control. We were at Petra last and did see some heavy thrashing of the donkeys to get them back down from the Monastery quickly so they could pick up some more “rich/lazy tourists”.

Phew, thanks goodness we’re not rich nor lazy. Climbed up to the Monastery on our own two feet. I’m convinced there are many more than the advertised 800 steps (maybe it’s just my age?) but I was reluctant to climb up a second time just to prove the point – or not! Even in the interests of TravelPod accuracy.

Haha hilarious. Is that the only way you can get up there, besides the steps on a donkey?

I couldn't agree more. yet as humans we think we are a much more important species. That's a terrible way to think.

Although an elephant may be the only animal with the capability to carry you, if you are really concerned about them being respected by their owners, you may want to first check out information on the "traditional" process of training elephants in Thailand called the "phaajaan".
I saw a video of this when I visited the Elephant Nature Park/Rescue Center in ChiangMai and it is truly disturbing. Just thought I would mention this before you head on your travels and although I don't know if a similar process is conducted in other SE Asia countries, I hope you take this into consideration and seek more information from wherever you decide to go elephant trekking.

Hey Plusgood,

there's a whole thread committed to the tiger temple. Check it out

Tiger Temple

You should get more than enough insight into that place.

If you want to know more about the Elephant Nature Park in Chiang Mai, you can check out their website here.

As for the Tiger Temple, I have not been there but the thread mentioned by wakingdream is probably the best place to get further info.

I also agree that being aware of animal suffering that is supported by tourism is important in addition to that affecting those raised solely for consumption. This latter point is one thing I have become much more aware of since moving to the Far East and although things often appear quite cruel here, I cannot help but wonder if my perceptions have not largely been influenced by the fact that in the West, animal slaughter is so "hidden". All we ever usually see of the fish, chicken, pigs and cows are the final products categorized and wrapped so nicely in the store refrigerator sections. In comparison, here you see the animals at a much more personal level and it does seem quite brutal. However, I have heard stories of conditions at slaughter houses and meat packing plants in Canada which I am sure probably rival any sites I see here. As a result, I am definitely realizing that I am in no position as a meat eater to make any moral judgements here. Nevertheless, there are still some "adjustments" I am making.

I've been to the tiger temple.... it's incredibly disappointing, and I believe that the tigers are drugged.

Blog post I wrote about it: http://www.travelpod.com/travel-blog-entri...03660/tpod.html