2016 is coming to an end, and with it, a lot of menace in the majestic world of elephants. Over the years, a lot of elephants have been put through misery. They’ve been tortured, beaten, exploited, and agonised the point where they eventually died. But it was only yesterday when we came to know that Mohan, an elephant who spent 5 years in chains was freed. A year ago, during the same time, another elephant was unchained after spending half a century in chains while being starved and beaten. These elephants are always under severe threat because of the massive ivory trade. They’re also abducted from their natural habitat, putting their population at risk. Tiger Tops, a popular resort in southern Nepal, offered elephant rides to the tourist as a popular means of visitor attraction. Even though such rides were popular, a lot of people and activist around the world believed otherwise. Thus, in face of retaliation, the resort has finally planned on scrapping the rides, and thereby, releasing these animals. The resort now plans to facilitate sustainable and animal-friendly tourism. “Moving away from elephant safaris 50 years after we introduced them, seemed too big a step, but I had seen young elephants being trained at the breeding centre. It was horrifying, they are scarred for life,” Tiger Tops chairman Kristjan Edwards told the Post.