New York ride-share company partners with World Animal Protection to raise funds and awareness on World Elephant Day
On Monday, August 12, World Animal Protection is encouraging tri-state commuters to ride with Juno to help raise awareness of the cruelty associated with elephant riding and raise funds for the global animal welfare organization with offices in 14 countries. Juno, a ride-hailing service, will donate one dollar per ride and help educate customers about World Animal Protection’s work to end elephant riding around the world. To participate, simply download the Juno app and complete a ride between 12:01 a.m. and 11:59 p.m. on World Elephant Day, August 12.
“Elephant riding remains a prevalent tourism activity in some parts of the world and subjects these magnificent animals to a lifetime of suffering,” said World Animal Protection Executive Director Alesia Soltanpanah. “Once consumers are aware that these experiences are not possible without hidden abuse many decide not to engage in elephant riding.”
World Animal Protection’s Taken for a Ride report found that up to 550,000 wild animals are exploited in the tourism industry worldwide. Tourist demand for direct contact activities with elephants such as riding, washing, and feeding leads to a lifetime of abuse. The constant presence of strangers requires elephants to be controlled by keepers through harsh obedience training from a young age that includes severe restraining, pain and discomfort.
“We are grateful for Juno’s participation to help educate the public and for their donation to fund our work around the world to protect animals. We enthusiastically encourage New York City commuters to Ride a Juno, Not an Elephant on World Elephant Day and every day,” continued Soltanpanah.
“Juno was founded on the belief that to provide the best service to our customers we need to treat our people well,” said David Agasi, chief executive officer of Juno. “We also believe the animals with whom we share our world deserve our respect and we are pleased to support World Animal Protection’s mission to protect elephants and other wild animals globally.”
Elephants forced into direct contact with people are taken from their natural environments and exploited for entertainment and profits. Close interaction with captive elephants also regularly leads to injuries and fatalities of keepers and sometimes of visitors.
Through its Wildlife. Not Entertainers campaign, World Animal Protection engages with travel companies around the world, revealing the hidden cruelty behind the scenes at wild animal entertainment venues, to help bring about a world where animals live free from suffering.
To date, more than 245 travel companies around the world including Education First, Intrepid Travel, Thomas Cook, TripAdvisor, World Expeditions, and Extraordinary Journeys have ended the sale and promotion of elephant rides and shows by signing World Animal Protection’s elephant-friendly pledge or making a commitment to wildlife-friendly travel policies.
We are grateful for Juno’s participation to help educate the public and for their donation to fund our work around the world to protect animals.