More than 240 travel companies have joined us and committed to stop selling and promoting venues that offer elephant rides and shows, including Thomas Cook, Contiki, Qyer.com, Intrepid Travel and TUI.
Many of these companies have gone further, committing to stop selling or promoting tickets to any wildlife entertainment activity. This includes dolphin shows and tiger cub selfie opportunities.
Read the full elephant-friendly travel company list here.
We’re already witnessing the positive effects of travel companies pulling out of elephant interactions, including riding, washing, bathing and feeding.
This movement inspired elephant camps in Thailand and elsewhere to transition their business models to ‘observation only’, where tourists can watch elephants from a safe distance without touching them.
We've been working closely with elephant camp ChangChill (formerly Happy Elephant Valley) to help it become the first truly elephant-friendly venue in Thailand.
Our short documentary features Coalition for Ethical Wildlife Tourism (CEWT) travel company members, who helped make this transition possible.
At these venues, elephants are free to just be elephants.