In Reply to: Elephant riding/Park posted by revkaru on Sunday, 24. May 2009 at 00:29 Bali Time:
for the simple reason that the elephants are looked after very well. Taro was set up PRIMARILY out of a love for the elephants, not as a money making venture (which it does very well).
The elephant camp that many people refer to is NOT the same as Taro, and the reason the driver wants to take you there is purely because he will get a big fat commission. there is no other reason.
the elephant camp is not solely for elephants, and recently two of their animals 'fell' over the cliff and died. they told me that they 'committed suicide'. yeah right. they also have other animals that are not particularly well cared for.
am i biased? perhaps. but i HAVE been to a number of camps on the island, as well as elsewhere in South East Asia, and i CAN tell you that Taro is the best i have seen.