A worldwide drop in tourism has led to a positive outcome for 78 elephants in Thailand, which have been freed for good from tourist rides.

It may feel difficult to look for a positive side to the dramatic situation in which we find ourselves. We are, however, witnessing many signs of nature’s recovery from our pressing presence.

The tourism blockade has led to the temporary closure of a Thai company that dealt with tours in which included elephant rides: without the economic resources necessary to keep all the pachyderms, they decided to set them free.

After 44 years of forced labor, a herd of 78 elephants has returned to the wild.

The company in question is called Mae Sa Elephant Camp in Chiang Mai and director Anchalee Kalampichit has decided to take this opportunity to transform its business into a form of tourism that no longer exploits animals.

“On 23 March I decided to close and asked my staff to keep the seating [for spectators] and put them aside… We put away everything we used to have for tourists and my announcement to the public is that we will stop from now on shows and riding on the elephants,” she said.

In short, in times of crisis great opportunities can arise for those who have the possibility and courage to reinvent themselves in a more ethical way. Let’s hope more people take this moment to change for the better, society may benefit from these uncertain time after all!

Source: CNN