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Animal Defenders International

Elephant Rides & Displays

Posted: 27 September 2012. Updated: 11 April 2013

Campaign to end elephant rides & displays

Animal Defenders International has released undercover video of elephant training and handling at Have Trunk Will Travel (HTWT), based in Perris, CA. Many county fair boards, once they have seen this footage, realize the suffering that goes on behind closed doors, out of public view, have decided to end the rides.

See footage from Have Trunk Will Travel (HTWT) of Perris, CA–

And also video of Mike Swain, working the elephants owned by Bill Swain of Trunks & Humps, of Conroe, Texas – his elephants are frequently used for rides at renaissance fairs–

After the footage was released, Orange County Fair, LA County Fair, Upland Lemon Festival, Santa Ana Zoo, and the cities of Fountain Valley, and Sierra Madre have all made the decision that they will not include animal cruelty in their events.

Our current activities

• Sioux Empire Fair
• San Diego County Fair
• Kern County Fair

Success!

• Upland Lemon Festival
• Los Angeles County Fair
• Orange County Fair
• Fountain Valley Easter event
• Santa Ana Zoo – read about the decision and campaign
• Sierre Madre Independence Day parade

Get involved – how you can support the campaign

• Make a donation to help fund our undercover investigations and campaign to end the use of performing animals
• Sign up to our campaign eAlerts to keep informed, so that you can take action when needed

NEWS...NEWS...NEWS...

Bob Barker Spearheads ADI Campaign to End Elephant Suffering at Fairs

Oregon Zoo Secures Ownership of Baby Elephant Lily

Bob Barker urges Oregon Zoo to secure baby elephant Lily

Rose-Tu’s baby must not be handed to elephant abusers

Jorja Fox releases video to highlight Krissy’s plight

Los Angeles County Fair ends elephant rides

Fountain Valley Cancels Elephant Rides at Easter event

Orange County Fair ends elephant rides

Santa Ana Zoo Ends Elephant Rides

Sierra Madre Cancels Elephant Performance

New standards announced by Assoc. of Zoos & Aquariums

Performing animals at events

Video evidence obtained by our field officers, combined with science-based research, have time and again shown that, despite reassurances to the contrary, abuse of performing animals is commonplace, usually occuring off set and behind the scenes.

Past campaigns to stop the use of performing animals

Olympics opening ceremony: When it was announced that the London 2012 Olympics would feature over 100 animals in its opening ceremony, ADI joined forces with a coalition of animal protection groups to voice its opposition. Sadly, it was not possible to changed the organizers’ minds and the animals were exposed to huge crowds, high levels of noise and flashing lights, despite our concerns, and those of our supporters and many of the public. Read more…

GMB Union: In 2006, the GMB Union hired a live camel to stage a protest against AA owners’ Permira and CVC outside a London church. The camel was 30 years old and had to endure nearly six hours of travel in addition to the three-hour event itself. After being contacted by ADI, the union announced that they would not use animals in future. Read more…

ADI has also called on director Kevin Spacey to replace the rhesus macaque used in performances of Inherit The Wind at The Old Vic and UK councils to refuse permission for shows such as Apassionata, Ben Hur Live and art installations using live animals.