The end of cruelty. The new law prohibits this type of tourism

The UK authorities have introduced a new law aimed at ensuring the protection of animals used in tourism activities. It will also prohibit the promotion, advertising or sale of tourist services using animals abroad. “We know that some overseas tourist attractions often subject majestic animals such as elephants to cruel and brutal training methods,” said British Animal Welfare Secretary Lord Benyon. This is an important step towards improving the lives of animals and increasing awareness of how inhumane this type of tourism is

Cruel tourism

Elephant ride? In Thailand, Bali or Sri Lanka, it is an attraction that is bought by many tourists who seek impressions and beautiful Instagram photos. Assured by the tourist office, they believe in the welfare of animals used to entertain visitors. In developing countries, where they are not sure whether the food sold at street markets meets all Sanepid standards, they unthinkingly trust that animals in sanctuaries, circuses and oceanariums lead idyllic lives.

However, their reality is much different. According to a study conducted by the University of Oxford’s Wildlife Research Unit in 2015, tourism harms up to 550,000 animals around the world. The British government maintains that independent evidence shows frequent cases of cruel treatment of animals. This includes ruthless practices such as breaking the psyche of elephants through violent training so that they can be used for future entertainment by tourists. No, elephants don’t naturally play soccer. You can’t ride wild elephants in the savannah. An elephant in the wild would rather hurt you than hug you with its trunk for a selfie. Animals used in the tourism industry had to go through hell to get rid of their natural instincts and be able to work with tourists.

The British government says no

The legislation passed in the UK is a big step towards improving the situation for animals around the world. Angela Richardson MP emphasizes that this new law, which will come into force in December and will initially apply in England, Wales and Northern Ireland, is a breakthrough in protecting defenseless animals who often suffer in environments with low awareness and empathy, where they are exploited as tourist attractions. This is the first initiative of its kind in the world that aims to prevent animal abuse and violence.