african elephant rides

[Arizona Docent]

Elephant rides at zoos were commonplace when I was a child, but they have been largely phased out. (Whether this is good or bad is a matter of debate - one which I am NOT trying to start up with this thread).

The few places that do still have elephant rides (and even those that I remember from my youth) were all with asian elephants - or so I thought. I was surprised to find this American zoo in Virginia offering african elephant rides. Is this the only place in the country to ride an african?

Also, maybe we can come up with a list of places in America where you can still ride an elephant (of either variety). Just kind of an informal survey - again not trying to debate the merits of it (although that debate may be inevitable when posting this topic).

Natural Bridge Zoo Park Natural Bridge VA Zoo Natural Bridge Virginia Zoo

 

[tschandler71]

Is that a roadside zoo? Take your pic with a baby white tiger?

 

[gorgeousingray]

-Miami USED to give elephant rides, I have a picture of my dad on a female African elephant.
-Six Flags in Vallejo california, gives rides on both Asian and African.
-Nashville USED to give rides on their three Africans
-A renaissance fair traveling the country gives rides on three female African elephants

(I'm not a free contact advocate, thus not a fan of elephant rides, but I think it would make more sense to ride and African, considering their saddle shape back, versus the curve of a Asian.