Daily Mirror (Northern Ireland)
Chained & beaten
But Beeb say Monty Don’s elephants are well treated & won’t apologise for using them for TV show
BBC bosses have been slammed for refusing to apologise for Monty Don’s elephant ride – as footage emerged of the animals where he filmed in chains and being beaten.
The Mirror told this week how the presenter has come under fire for visiting Amer Fort, north of Jaipur, India, on an elephant in his Paradise Gardens show, on BBC2 last week.
The BBC declined to comment at the time but have since responded to an animal welfare campaigner who lodged a formal complaint.
It said the production team had carried out an inspection and found no evidence of mistreatment.
But shocking footage of the animals, which are used to ferry tourists to and from the Amer Fort, has since emerged showing the elephants shackled.
A picture of the same animals used at the fort from last year also shows one being attacked by eight men carrying heavy sticks and iron bullhooks.
A tour guide told the visitors who took the picture that the violence meted out was because elephants “act out” in the heat.
In an email to Audrey Gaffney, of Action for Elephants, the BBC said: “We would like to reassure you the team firstly looked into how the elephants were treated.
“They found that there are rules and practices in place to help ensure the well-being of the elephants at Amer Fort and, after extensive discussions, the team were satisfied elephants here were treated well and in good health. They also saw no signs whatsoever of any cruelty in the handling of the elephant.”
But Audrey told the Mirror: “It is unlikely if a TV crew were to inspect the elephant handlers they would openly show cruelty. The BBC failed in its objective of balanced reporting.
“It was astounding it allowed the real cruelty these creatures endure not only to be glossed over but to be promoted.” Will Travers, president of Born Free Foundation, said: “Did they have an elephant welfare expert with them? How do they not get the wider picture, that by Monty doing it and the BBC promoting it, others will follow suit?”
Riding the animal, Monty said: “It’s the appropriate way, because it’s how the Raja would arrive.”
But many wild elephants are tamed by “crushing”, where they are restrained in a cage and sometimes beaten.
BBC star Nicky Campbell, an animal rights advocate, had hit out, saying: “It’s just as we were progressing on informing people of abuse. Utterly appalling. With all the good the BBC is doing too.”
It is unlikely if a TV crew inspected handlers they would show cruelty
AUDREY GAFFNEY ACTION FOR ELEPHANTS