‘Ticket sales for elephant tourism must be banned now’
SPRINGWATCH presenter Megan McCubbin has called for a ban on UK firms selling tickets to tourists for unethical elephant sites abroad.
The environmental champ called it a “disgrace” that the animals are beaten, starved and chained to “satisfy the demand” of holidaymakers wanting a selfie or a ride.
Megan, 27, said: “The sale of tickets from UK companies to unethical elephant tourism facilities abroad must be banned immediately.
“Asian elephants are an endangered species, and the fact that they get chained up, beaten and starved to satisfy the demand of elephant riding and selfies is a disgrace.
“We have an opportunity to help elephants, so why wouldn’t we take it? After all, there are many ways to see elephants and the best encounters happen when the animal you are watching is happy and free.”
The charity Save the Asian Elephants (STAE) has called for a law to end adverts for tourism which involve seeing elephants and their babies being beaten and forced to do tricks. The Daily Express is backing the campaign. Former Workington MP Baroness Sue Hayman of Ullock also called for a ban. She said: “Asian elephants are subjected to cruel treatment to provide entertainment for often unsuspecting tourists. “It is time the Government banned advertisements for these unethical resorts and practices.” STAE has found at least 1,200 UK companies still promoting 277 overseas venues with the giant creatures allegedly “broken in by torture” to do tricks, play games and give rides. The Animals Abroad Bill was intended to ensure that cruel practices overseas were not supported by the UK consumer market – but it was dropped from this year’s Queen’s Speech.
The charity’s founder Duncan McNair said in a letter to former Environment Secretary Ranil Jayawardena: “A ban will help shift the market to ethical tourism, replacing brutally enforced tricks, games and riding with observation of elephants in their natural state in reserves and genuine sanctuaries.
“The shift will throw a lifeline to many endangered species that suffer brutality in tourism.”
There are estimated to be fewer than 45,000 Asian elephants alive, with 40 per cent of them kept in cruel captivity for exploitation.
The Government has urged tourists to support “higher welfare” animal attractions abroad.