Our Values
ASIA'S FIRST WELFARE CERTIFIED ELEPHANT PARK
The Mason Elephant Park & Lodge is incredibly proud to be the first elephant park in Asia to be awarded the Gold Certification from the Asian Captive Elephants Standards.
Asian Captive Elephants Standards (ACES) is an independent enterprise providing elephant camps with the methodology, guidance, and on-site support to ensure all captive elephants are receiving the highest level of welfare possible through a rigorous assessment and audit process conducted by an experienced and dedicated team of elephant specialists, veterinarians, researchers, and conservationists.
Over the last 2 years Mason Adventures has worked closely together with ACES to further develop all aspects of the park for our elephants, staff, and guests alike to continue to uphold a sustainable future for the critically-endangered Sumatran elephant.
OUR MISSION STATEMENT: OUR FIVE FREEDOMS
The goal of Certification is to ensure captive elephants are receiving the highest level of animal welfare, veterinary and conservation care possible. To achieve this, we had to comply with 8 individual sets of Accreditation, within which, there were a total of 191 seperate areas of evaluation:
CAMP MANAGEMENT – Operations, Registration, Legal Compliance, Microchiping & ID books & Reporting
STAFF MANAGEMENT – Employee Working Conditions, Training, Wages, Health Checks, Insurance & Records
ELEPHANT WELFARE – Animal Living Conditions, Socialisation, Diet, Vet Care, Health, Breeding & Supervision
ELEPHANT INTERACTIONS – Activities Scheduling: Riding, Bathing, Washing, Walking, Free-Roam & Feeding
CAMP QUALITY – Environmental Sustainability, Energy Conservation, Waste Management & Recycling
VISITOR SAFETY / EXPERIENCE – Visitor Education, Facilities, Communication, Engagement & Insurance
COMMUNITY RELATIONS – Local Engagement: Staffing & Resources, Protection Initiatives & Ivory Awareness
CONSERVATION – Protection Policies, Education & Awareness, Transparency, Logistics & Local Involvement
SUMATRAN CONTAINMENT CAMPS - ELEPHANTS ORIGINAL HOME
It is important to note that none of our elephants were ever taken directly from the wild. Our elephants were all rescued from Sumatran ‘Containment Camps’, where they were tethered for months on end and only had an average life expectancy of 3–7 years
United Nations FOQ – Sumatran Containment Camps Review www.fao.org
RESCUING ELEPHANTS FROM THE CAMPS
Our team made 3 rescue missions throughout Sumatra across multiple Containment Camps, the last being in 2004. In total, we managed to many elephants who all had to be transported by truck and ferry more than 1,700km to Bali where they now happily call home.
WHY WE'RE LOCATED HERE IN TARO
Due to the area’s higher altitude, cleaner air, higher rainfall, cooler climate and lush tropical atmosphere, we chose Taro-Ubud as the best home for these gentle giants. It is much like their original habitat of the Sumatran jungle.
ELEPHANT'S DIET, HEALTH & WELLBEING
Every single elephant has their own individual diet, depending on their age, weight, sex and digestion. They each enjoy a balanced diet of grasses, palm stem and seasonal fruits and vegetables. Our elephants are regularly exercised, mentally stimulated and have appropriate amounts of socialisation and resting periods.
VETERINARY CARE & SUPERVISION
The elephants in our care are routinely checked by their Mahouts every morning and evening for any signs of being unwell or potential injury. As well and regular vitamin supplements, the elephants receive regular inspections by our established veterinary team.
NATURAL BREEDING PROGRAM
When it comes to breeding, we let nature take its course. To date, we have had 6 beautiful baby elephants born at our Park with the first siblings born in 2009. Come and meet Jegeg, Ganteng, Risky, Fajar, Arjuna, and the latest addition to the herd, Krisna who was born in 2020.
RESPONSIBLE TOURISM & THE LOCAL COMMUNITY
Over the years we have maintained a wonderful collaboration with local villages and currently employ over 500 local staff company-wide. We also have an extended network of local community partners who together, help supply our elephants with 7 tons of food each day… It’s a lot of work and a lot of food!
ENVIRONMENTAL SUSTAINABILTY & CONSERVATION
We donate the majority of our elephant dung to the local villages who use it to fertilise their crops, as well as use it on our own gardens. We also donate our food scraps to the local pig farmers. Additionally, we have also hand planted over a million trees, plants and flowers.
ELEPHANT / CARER RELATIONSHIPS
Every Mahout (Trainer) spends years developing a special bond between themselves and the elephant in their care. All training is done using our own unique system of patience, repetition & reward. Our park has never condoned the use of cruel training methods ever, and we have a no-punishment policy at our park.
ELEPHANT RIDES - THE FACTS
Although this may come as a surprise to many, when done ethically, rides are actually very beneficial for an elephant’s overall health and wellbeing for the following reasons: regulates circulation & respiration, sustains muscle growth & bone density, helps them digest food, improves cognitive health & prevents foot ailments. Even a 2 guest ride equates to only 6-7% of the elephants body weight, which is far less than a horse ride with averages at 20%.
ELEPHANT RESTING PADS
As our elephants were rescued from Sumatran ‘Containment Camps’ from many separate areas and herds, consequently, not all elephants get along well with one another. Our elephants are only tethered during their meal and sleep times, which helps prevents elephant fights, bullying, food stealing & protects the park an local environment.
SELF FILLING DRINKING STATIONS
One of the many ways we are constantly improving the elephants wellbeing, are the self-filling drinking stations located on each elephant pads. Each station is connected to fresh, natural drinking water 90 metres below the ground.
THE FUTURE
The future of Sumatra is uncertain. However if the hard but necessary steps were taken to stabilise the situation, our Park would be looking at gradually reintroducing the herd back into the regions that they once called home.
FURTHER READING
United Nations FOQ – Sumatran Containment Camps Review
www.fao.org
Scientific Studies – Elephant Health: Riding & Exercise
www.elephantstandards.com
www.iucnredlist.org
www.earthobservatory.nasa.gov
www.economist.com
www.e360.yale.edu
www.journals.sagepub.com
www.thejakartapost.com
www.ran.org
www.nature.com
Why Elephants in Captivity Suffer from Sore Feet
www.medicine.uq.edu.au
In Defence of Elephant Tourism
www.esearchgate.net
The Need for Science in Elephant Based Tourism
www.elephantstandards.com
Activism or Paternalism?
www.elephantstandards.com
Congratulations, You Boycotted an Elephant Camp! Now what happens?
www.elephantstandards.com
OUR EXTENDED ELEPHANT FAMILY
Arjuna & Md Sudarma
Arum & Catur
Bores & Sukatno
Dewi & Wy.Suardana
Dina & Suparjo
Debi & Budiasa
Eva & Gamal P
Fatimah & Moh. Rifai
Fajar & Km. Darmadi
Fitri & Wayan Mada
Ganteng & Hendra
Jegeg & Birawan
Krisna & Wy. Mardawa
Kusuma & Supomo
Lukcip & Agustina
Melani & Md Suweta
Nopi & Arimawan
Puspa & A. Rifai
Rama & Suwanto
Ramona & Raka
Rizki & Wy. Budi
Tagor & Suntoro
Tia & Wy. Rudiantara
Yanti & Md. Widnyana
