Stars, politicians and campaigners have rallied round the Mirror’s plea to ban the promotion of tours where elephants suffer horrific abuse.
Today we revealed how numerous UK travel companies feature “attractions” in Asia where elephants endure a life of suffering giving rides and performing in circuses and at parades.
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, saying: “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, added: “It is imperative the Government acts immediately to ban such disgraceful and unconscionable advertising.”
Travel association ABTA says it encourages travel companies 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 from the world of politics, with Labour’s environment spokesman Luke Pollard saying: “If the travel sector cannot step up and meet the challenge of removing holidays and excursions that abuse animals then new 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.
Meanwhile Stanley Johnson, father of Prime Minister Boris Johnson and a board member of campaign group Save The Asian Elephants, added: “I totally support calls for a law banning advertisement and sale of tourist ‘trips’ to venues where Asian elephants are routinely abused.”
He said elephants are coerced to provide ‘entertainment’ by “constant, often fatal, beatings.”
