NEWS
Details of previous activity appear on the page Our Work
If you would like more information about STAE and our work, please get in touch on info@stae.org
“The International Business Times“
STAE continue to fight to bring elephant horrors to the widest audience – we recently received coverage in both The Sunday People and the Northern Echo.
In May 2016 STAE was the cover story for the Big Issue North. The magazine has a circulation of 17,027 and we were given a prominent two-page, full colour spread. The article successfully highlighted the plight of the Asian elephant, and outlined how the use of elephants in travel and tourism is barbaric, unethical and outdated. The article discusses the dangers of holding elephants in captivity, and the horrors that they must endure in the process of training, or ‘pajan’.
We are delighted that our work is being covered so prominently in such a well-known, national magazine.
View the full Big Issue Article here.
In January 2016 STAE was invited to present to MEPs at the European Parliament Intergroup on the Welfare and Conservation of Animals.
Duncan explained the brutal “breaking” process of pajan that is used on young elephants to subjugate them for training for use in tourism and temples. He informed the MEPs about what happens behind the scenes at facilities that offer elephant treks and shows to tourists, and about the painful reality of life as a temple elephant. Asian elephants are endangered and subject to serious threats in the wild, including destruction of habitat and migratory corridors, and capture for use in tourism and temples.
STAE has developed policies with expert input both domestically, in Europe and across the range states of the Asian elephants. These are attracting considerable favourable attention and support. Duncan requested that MEPs exert pressure within the EU, domestically and internationally to put an end to pajan and poaching. The meeting generated a great deal of interest among MEPs. STAE thanks the Intergroup and its Members for their support and looks forward to working further with the Intergroup.
Here you can see the slides from Duncan’s presentation and his briefing note and you can take a look at the Intergroup’s activities on their website http://www.animalwelfareintergroup.eu/.
Note: the Intergroup on the Welfare and Conservation of Animals, known as the ‘Animal Welfare Intergroup’, is the focal point for animal welfare in the European Parliament. This cross-party group of MEPs from across the EU is one of the longest running and largest Intergroups within the European Parliament and has become not only a forum for debate but also a catalyst for action on animal welfare issues.
In December 2015 STAE was invited to present to the All Party Parliamentary Group on Endangered Species. STAE CEO Duncan McNair informed Members about the threats to wild Asian elephants, in particular illegal capture for the tourist and temple trades, and the horrors faced by captive elephants.
Duncan brought to Members’ attention the overwhelming public opinion for action (poll results) and that the UK and Indian Prime Ministers recently resolved to work together to protect Asian elephants (Joint Statement).
APPG Chair Ranil Jayawardena MP, Duncan McNair, David Hanson MP
We are confident that the APPG’s involvement will further help to bring political attention to this issue and pressure for the government to take action on its election promise. We look forward to working further with the APPG.
Note: The APPG is a cross-party group of Members of the House of Commons and House of Lords that takes a particular lead in political matters involving endangered species.
Some of our recent press coverage:
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