Ep172. Ending animal cruelty in tourism, with Duncan McNair and Peter Egan

The Simply Vegan podcast is your weekly dose of plant-based food, news and topical chat with Vegan Food & Living's Holly Johnson and Molly Pickering.

On today's show, we're joined by CEO of Save The Asian Elephants, Duncan McNair, and actor and animal welfare campaigner, Peter Egan.

 

Duncan begins by telling us about the atrocious treatment of animals abroad, including endangered elephants, in order for them to be petted and ridden by tourists. He explains how the UK's largest tour operator is still advertising these up-close animal 'experiences' despite being warned of the cruelty involved and how holiday makers are sometimes killed by distressed adult elephants and their offspring. We also discuss the fact that 32% of people visiting Thailand have reported riding an elephant or wishing to.

Downton Abbey actor Peter Egan explains his involvement with the cause and we explore the Bill to end the UK’s sale and advertising of practices abroad where wildlife is cruelly exploited, which is being debated in parliamant on September 5th 2023.

 

Find out how you can help raise awareness, get some ethical holiday tips and support conservation projects that seek to protect and care for majestic animals like the Asian Elephant.

Notes from today's episode and ways to support us:

• Support Save The Asian Elephants at stae.org/help-us

• Tag us in your social posts, @veganfoodandliving and @simplyveganpodcast and share the episode with friends

• Try an issue of Vegan Food and Living magazine for just 99p at veganfoodandliving.com/podcast

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