Thailand now has chance to become world leader in elephant welfare
Word of the decision to cancel the King’s Cup Elephant Polo Tournament has spread like wildfire, and the response has been overwhelmingly positive. The attitude of the public has changed greatly since I first investigated the use of elephants for entertainment in Surin in 1998.
We’re delighted William E Heinecke supports the decision to end the cruel elephant polo tournament, and we hope he will continue to speak up for elephants. Given its plethora of wildlife, Thailand has the opportunity to become a world leader in enacting and enforcing laws to protect animals, including highly endangered and sensitive elephants. As the public learns about the ways that elephants are abused in training camps and forced to beg in the streets, travellers are demanding change.
We very much look forward to collaborating with Mr Heinecke on initiatives dedicated to improving the lives of elephants in Thailand.
Jason Baker
PETA senior vice president of International Campaigns
