Show is axed over cruelty to elephants
THE BBC has shelved an episode of Monty Don’s show in which he rides an elephant in a region where they are treated cruelly.
The Beeb is also probing how it sanctioned the film of Monty in Amer Fort, Jaipur, India, as part of BBC2’S Paradise Gardens.
The U-turn follows the Daily Mirror uncovering footage of Amer Fort elephants being abused.
The BBC said yesterday: “We will withdraw the programme from iplayer while we look into this.”
It initially tried to defend the film, saying its production team had found no evidence of mistreatment.
But footage emerged yesterday of chains shackling elephants, which carry tourists. A picture showed one beaten by eight men carrying iron bullhooks. Comic Jack