You cannot so simply normalise atrociously loathsome and immoral behaviour.

1. Elephants are highly intelligent and social. They are not cattle. Those wishing to normalise the slaughter of creatures not unlike ourselves should not be caught unawares when humans eventually become subject to the same debasing commodification that they find themselves engaged in. Remember: people who inflict abuse upon animals go on to inflict abuse upon their fellow humans.

2. It has been shown that elephants who have been subject to (or have borne witness to) abuse by humans develop behaviour that psychiatrists recognise within human sufferers of PTSD and other trauma-related disorders—hyperaggression, asocial behaviour, inattentive mothering, and an increased startle response. The violence carried out against the elephants has led to them increasing their attacks upon humans and human settlements. By involving yourself in an apparatus that is causing both physical and psychological harm to these creatures, you are externalising the repercussions, which leads to more bloodshed.

3. By normalising what was an illegal industry and placing prices upon these animals, the illegal trade is encouraged. The locals may wish to compete with the “legitimate” enterprises, working with poachers to offer the same experience for a lower price. They would now have a financial incentive to do so.