Success! More than 100 travel companies commit to be elephant-friendly
News
In a significant step towards ending the cruel abuse of elephants in the tourism entertainment industry, more than 100 travel companies have committed to stop selling elephant rides to their customers
As part of our Wildlife. Not Entertainers campaign, World Animal Protection has engaged with tour operators to highlight the hidden cruelty and abuse at venues where tourists ride elephants and see elephant shows.
These commitments are in line with public opinion with a recently Galaxy survey commissioned by World Animal Protection finding 85% of Australians think travel companies should avoid selling tourism activities that cause wild animals to suffer.
More than 100 global companies have now agreed to no longer offer tours to venues with elephant rides and shows in any of their markets. Among these are many popular Australian brands.
Nicola Beynon, Head of Campaigns, Australia for World Animal Protection, said: “Leading travel brands see the value of animal protection, with an overwhelming majority (94%) of Australians considering the mistreatment of wild animals for entertainment as unacceptable. It is a promising sign of change that so many industry players have greed there is no place for this elephant cruelty within their travel packages.”
“In order to end elephant rides and shows we must curb the demand and end the availability for tourists to visit these attractions.”
“World Animal Protection wants to stop the cruelty of elephant rides and shows – but we’re also concerned about the welfare of animals already captive at these places, and what the future might hold for them.”
“We’re working to find tour operators who are prepared to go the extra mile and invest in transforming existing elephant camps into humane, safe sanctuaries. If animals are unable to be released back to the wild we are working to ensure they are free to express natural behaviours.”
Despite this great achievement there are still a number of travel companies who are yet to commit to ending elephant rides and other cruel elephant entertainment.
The list of elephant-friendly global travel companies can be found here.
Despite this great achievement there are still a number of travel companies who are yet to commit to ending elephant rides and other cruel elephant entertainment.