Daily Mirror (Northern Ireland)
STOP THIS ABUSE
Celebs back our call for laws to help end brutal elephant tourism in Asia
STARS, politicians and campaigners have rallied round the Mirror’s plea to ban the promotion of tours where elephants suffer horrific abuse.
Yesterday we told how UK travel firms feature “attractions” in Asia where the beasts endure a life of suffering giving rides and performing in circuses.
Among celebs backing the call for a ban is comic Ricky Gervais, who said: “Britain must take a lead and bring in a law now to help end this horrific abuse.”
Naturalist and TV presenter Chris Packham added his voice to the call: “The brutality to Asian elephants in tourism is often described as the worst animal cruelty of all.
“I completely support this great move to ban adverts for unethical resorts and practices.”
While explorer Sir Ranulph Fiennes said: “It is imperative to ban such disgraceful and unconscionable advertising.” Travel association ABTA says it encourages firms to not offer tours in which animals are abused.
But campaign group Save The Asian Elephants says a law is needed as numerous firms ignore ABTA guidelines
There is support too from the world of politics, with Labour’s environment spokesman Luke Pollard saying: “If the travel sector cannot remove holidays and excursions that abuse animals, laws are the next step.”
Green Party leader Caroline Lucas described a new law as “a good place to start” in preventing firms “colluding” with cruel elephant sites.
Stanley Johnson, father of Prime Minister Boris Johnson and a board member of Save The Asian Elephants, said the animals are “routinely abused” and “coerced to provide “entertainment” by “constant, often fatal, beatings.”