‘Elephant lives revolve around space and being part of a social entourage. Most of their cognitive activities centre around walking and searching for food, water and mates” Marian Garai of the Elephant Specialist Advisory Group, BBC Wildlife Magazine article

‘Science and human experience make clear that elephants are autonomous animals. In other words, they are cognitively, emotionally, and socially complex beings who have the capacity to exercise free will and make choices about how to spend their days and live their lives, just as human beings do’. As quoted by Nonhuman rights project with regards to #FreeHappy campaign

Sanctuaries respect elephants’ self determination and personal space by prohibiting any type of punishment, chaining, or dominance and allowing them to express free choice.

Positive reinforcement is used for training and medical care or other interactions take place via protected contact.

“Growing up in a social context, or in a family, is critical to their development and social interactions remain central to their well-being throughout their lives,” Joyce Poole, Nat Geo 2022