I am not surprised at the delight expressed by tho...

I am not surprised at the delight expressed by those who got to ride the elephant, as I once thought riding an elephant would be a neat thing to do. However, I have since learned that riding an elephant is one of the worst things you can do. It is terrible for their health, especially the spine, as for all their size and weight their skeletons are really rather delicate. Also, an elephant is a wild herd animal and will only allow a rider if the elephant has been abused to the point of giving up, a very heartbreaking scenario. The other animals appear to be OK, but I have to wonder considering the treatment of the elephant.