More than 220 elephant-friendly travel companies
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Travel companies worldwide commit to stop elephant rides and shows
Our work to end the cruel abuse of elephants in the tourist entertainment industry has secured the help of more than 220 travel companies who have committed to stop selling elephant rides and shows to their customers.
We have been engaging with tour operators around the world, revealing the cruelty that goes on behind the scenes at venues where tourists ride elephants and see shows where elephants are forced to perform.
To date, more than 220 travel companies around the world have agreed that elephant rides and shows are cruel and must end. The travel companies, include The Travel Corporation and its family of 30 brands (Lion World Travel, Trafalgar, Contiki & Uniworld) as well as companies like G Adventures, World Expeditions and Intrepid Travel, are leading the way.
This year we were thrilled to have Bamba Experience (the first Mexico-based travel company), Exemplary Voyages (the first Sri Lankan tour operator), Roar Africa, Extraordinary Journeys, Do Something Different, Adventure Coordinators, Tusker Adventure Travel, Africa4Us and Zara Tours sign our pledge to never sell elephant rides or shows.
In order to make elephants submit to rides and other human interactions they are taken from their mothers as babies and forced through a horrific training practice known as ‘the crush’. This process involves physical restraints, severe pain and the withholding of food and water. By the time tourists come to ride an elephant, its spirit has been broken.
The cruelty does not end after the crush. When not performing or used for rides most elephants are kept chained and isolated from one another. This is hugely damaging to their physical and psychological wellbeing.
When not performing or used for rides most elephants are kept chained and isolated from one another
Find out which tour operators have pledged to stop selling elephant rides >
When not performing or used for rides most elephants are kept chained and isolated from one another. This is hugely damaging to their physical and psychological well-being.