Park trips axed over whales’ welfare

Holiday firm Thomas Cook is to stop selling trips to animal parks that keep killer whales from next year.

The tour operator said the decision, which will apply to Seaworld in the US and Loro Parque in in Tenerife, was made because of customer feedback and evidence from animal welfare specialists.

Chief executive Peter Fankhauser said yesterday: “This was not a decision we took lightly.

“We have actively engaged with a range of animal welfare specialists in the last 18 months and taken account of the scientific evidence they have provided.

“We have also taken feedback from our customers – more than 90per cent of whom told us that it was important that their holiday company takes animal welfare seriously. That has led us to the decision we have taken today.”