How to spot a real animal sanctuary (and avoid scams disguised as rescue)

Tourists riding and bathing elephants at a tourist attraction posing as a sanctuary, with elephants in water and handlers nearby in an unnatural setting.

Not all “sanctuaries” are safe

Some so-called sanctuaries are just zoos in disguise, selling rides, selfies, and staged suffering under the mask of rescue and rehabilitation. They might use words like ethical, sanctuary, rescue centre, or retirement home, but offer tourists a long list of questionable interactions: riding elephants, bathing them, hugging them, feeding them, or watching them perform “tricks.”

If you can ride, bathe, feed, hug, or watch an elephant perform, you’re not in a sanctuary.

You’re in a business that profits from trauma.

ethical elephant volunteering - Young woman in close physical contact with an elephant, touching its trunk while standing in a grassy area at a tourist site.
What may seem like a sweet moment of connection can actually reflect forced familiarity — not freedom.
 Elephants don’t need your touch

They need space. Silence. Safety.
And, most of all, choice.

Constant handling causes stress and takes away their agency.

If an elephant can’t choose to walk away from you, it’s not “bonding.” It’s control dressed up as affection.

Young woman standing between two elephants in a grassy field at a tourist sanctuary, suggesting close human-animal interaction.
A volunteer stands close to two elephants — but even peaceful moments like this raise questions about what’s truly ethical in wildlife tourism.
If you’re allowed to:
  •  Ride an elephant – that involves beating, chaining, and fear-based training ❌
  • Bathe or hug them – that’s forced contact and stress ❌
  • Feed them sugary treats – that builds dependency and harms their health ❌
  • Watch them perform – those tricks are learned through pain, not play ❌

Then you’re not volunteering at a sanctuary.

You’re fueling a performance and cruelty, designed to look ethical.

ethical elephant volunteering - IFAW caregiver standing beside a young elephant near a riverbank at a wildlife rescue center, showing respectful and minimal contact.
A professional caregiver from IFAW walks calmly beside a rescued elephant calf — no rides, no shows, just care.
“Sanctuary” is just a marketing word ⚠ïļ

There’s no legal definition for the term “sanctuary.” Anyone can use it.
Even the worst offenders, those that chain elephants, sell rides, or use bullhooks, can still claim they’re “ethical.”

Calling it a sanctuary doesn’t make it safe.
It makes it profitable.

Close-up of a person hand-feeding an elephant in a controlled tourist environment with unnatural proximity.
Feeding might seem harmless, but it often reinforces dependency and stress in captive elephants.
What a real sanctuary looks like ✅

Real sanctuaries prioritise animal well-being over tourist experience.

They don’t need visitors. If they accept volunteers, it’s with strict guidelines that support long-term care, not entertainment.

Young elephant calf playing with a concrete ball inside a confined enclosure, surrounded by metal bars in a zoo-like environment.
An elephant calf inside a metal enclosure with a toy ball — but play doesn’t always mean freedom.
A true elephant sanctuary will have:
  • No rides ✔ïļ
  • No bathing ✔ïļ
  • No petting or feeding ✔ïļ
  • No shows or selfies ✔ïļ
  • No strict tourist schedule ✔ïļ
  • Minimal contact, and only when necessary ✔ïļ

Real rescue centres put animals first.

Fake ones put tourists first, and animals last.

Extreme close-up of an elephant’s eye, showing deep wrinkles, textured skin, and a sharp gaze reflecting light and intelligence.
An elephant’s eye — calm, ancient, alert. These beings are not here for our entertainment, but worthy of our awe.

What responsible volunteers and travellers can do 🙋‍♀ïļ

  • Ask questions before applying or visiting
  • Check if physical contact is allowed (it shouldn’t be)
  • Research the sanctuary’s history and staff
  • Be wary of places that promote selfies or group bathing sessions
  • Choose places focused on rehabilitation, not human experience
ethical elephant volunteering - Tourists riding and bathing elephants at a tourist attraction posing as a sanctuary, with elephants in water and handlers nearby in an unnatural setting.
Scenes like these, where tourists ride or bathe elephants, are signs of an exploitative attraction, not a true sanctuary.

Want to learn more about ethical elephant sanctuaries? 🌍

The topic is complex, and the word “sanctuary” is often misused. Here are some trusted sources that explore the realities of elephant tourism and how to support truly ethical initiatives:

Do your research, ask questions, and help shift the industry toward real compassion 💙

🐘 Volunteering with animal sanctuaries on Voluntouring.org

We have a dedicated section for animal sanctuary volunteering opportunities. When reviewing host requests, we do our best to include only those projects that align with ethical standards, where animal welfare is clearly the top priority.

Our core principle is simple: the well-being of animals must come before business or profit. If a project seems more focused on tourism income than true care, we may choose not to publish it.

That said, we may occasionally overlook red flags. If you notice a listing on our site that doesn’t meet these standards, please let us know. We rely on our community to help us keep this space transparent, responsible, and respectful to the beings we claim to protect. We’ve already removed hosts that weren’t providing proper conditions for animals or volunteers, and we’ll keep reviewing our listings to ensure safety, transparency, and a meaningful, positive experience for everyone involved.

ethical elephant volunteering

Visit our Animal Sanctuaries volunteer projects section ðŸū

Go back to the blog section 🌐

Orphanage: how to detect when it’s a scam ⚠ïļ

Author: Rebecca

Adventurous volunteer, and citizen of the world! 😄 With so much out there to explore, my mission is simple: discover and share all the awesome things life has to offer! 🌍🌈

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