A statement about Thomas Cook

An amazing 174,091 people from all over the world signed our petition calling on Thomas Cook to stop selling and promoting elephant rides and shows. As a result, Thomas Cook have stopped offering elephant excursions from this season’s promotions, and are planning to audit their entire range of wildlife experiences.

Promotions for elephant rides and shows should by now have been moved from all of their websites.

This is progress, but we want to make sure that Thomas Cook doesn’t slip back into selling elephant rides and shows. Therefore, we are asking our supporters let us know if you see any Thomas Cook promotions of rides and shows so we can ask for them to be removed.

We will not release the pressure. We will be working with Thomas Cook to ensure they stay true to their statements and continue to phase out elephant rides and shows. We are collaborating with representatives from all of Thomas Cook Group’s offices and are hoping for a favourable outcome for animal welfare.

We’re also meeting with Thomas Cook staff and travel industry regulators to ensure that elephant welfare is adopted by tour operators. We also hope to find ways that we can work together more effectively so that we can find long-lasting solutions for elephants.

Thank you to all of you who signed the petition. You’ve shown Thomas Cook that tourists will not tolerate the cruel abuse of elephants. Please keep up your support – it will lead to elephants being properly protected and cared for.