Shocking footage shows pair of elephants chained to the floor and forced to perform tricks and play musical instruments to entertain tourists at zoo in Thailand
This is the shocking moment a pair of elephants are forced to perform tricks and entertain crowds at a zoo in Thailand.
San Mueang and Tang Mo were forced to 'rave' to music, 'play' musical instruments and perform tricks for tourists during their years at the notorious Phuket Zoo in the Mueang Phuket District.
Despite repeated criticism from animal campaigners, the elephants would have to amuse crowds in lengthy performances which were held three-times-a day under the threat of a bullhook.
Elephants San Mueang and Tang Mo were forced to 'play' musical instruments and perform tricks for tourists during their years at the notorious Phuket Zoo in the Mueang Phuket District of Thailand
The elephants were also forced to 'rave' to music and amuse crowds in lengthy performances which were held three-times-a day
The creatures would be chained to concrete flooring in a small barren enclosure when they were away from the crowds
The animals have now been rescued by Save Elephant Foundation and will be able to experience freedom for the very first time.
Footage of the elephants prior to their rescue shows the animals being forced to nod their heads to music and standing on pedestals as music blares in the background.
In another scene one elephant throws a ball through a basket net as his owner watches on.
Following their rescue, the elephants will now live in a 250-acre sanctuary home owned by the Save Elephant Foundation in Thailand.
The rescue comes just a year after the zoo attracted worldwide condemnation following an investigation into the abuse of a baby elephant nicknamed 'Dumbo'.
During their investigation, Moving Animals, a global photography and footage project that examines animal industries around the world, filmed the skeletal baby elephant being forced to entertain tourists.
Moved by the creature's plight, the group, launched a petition calling for the elephant to be moved to a nearby sanctuary.
The animals would often have to perform the stunts under the threat of a bullhook
In one scene, one of the elephants stands on a pedestal as music is played in the background
The elephants will now live in a 250-acre sanctuary home after they were rescued by Save Elephant Foundation in Thailand
Despite growing calls to have Dumbo released, the elephant passed away on May 2019 after his back legs snapped beneath him.
It was later revealed that Phuket Zoo were unaware that the elephant's legs were broken for three days.
The Asian Elephant, which is classified as an endangered species, is the continent's largest terrestrial mammal and has three subspecies – the Indian, Sumatran and Sri Lankan.
They are typically smaller than the African elephant and their skin ranges from dark grey to brown, with patches of pink on the forehead, the ears and the base of the trunk.
In Thailand there are an estimated 3,000 elephants, with many living in sanctuaries, elephant parks, zoos and tourist resorts.