Dear Mr Gary Knell,

Since 2005 National Geographic (NG) has publicly opposed captive elephant entertainment. Ten years later, under Mr Rupert Murdoch's recent leadership, National Geographic Expeditions publicly condones and endorses captive elephant cruelty for human entertainment. How disheartening for elephants and NG readers alike!

In October 2005 the National Geographic promoted a film titled “Vanishing Giants” which showed the cruel “training crush” that young elephants are subject to. The video tells the story of how wild elephants are captured and exposed to unimaginable torture to crush their spirits, which makes them submissive to begin training. This form of training happens all over Asia, including India, so that humans can ride elephants, watch elephants do tricks in circuses, and be able to do undertake logging. Throughout their captive lives these elephants are constantly abused!!! In the past, National Geographic’s educational efforts has created much awareness about the plight of captive elephants due to which several people are turning to “conscious tourism” that respects the rights of these wild animals to remain in their native habitat, and live in close-knit herds.

It is shocking to know that National Geographic Expeditions is providing tourists with itineraries that include elephant rides. The Catalogue titled NG Expeditions 2015-2016, which was released in October, promotes elephant rides as part of an Indian Safari. Please refer to days 12 & 13 of the itinerary: http://www.nationalgeographicexpeditions.com/expeditions/india-wildlife-safari-tour/detail. On page 53 of the catalogue is a photo of visitors “astride their elephants” as part of the description of the India Wildlife Safari. We have confirmed that NG contracts with companies in India that provide this service.

It is extremely disappointing to see a respected organization like the National Geographic Society condone and endorse captive elephant cruelty for human entertainment. How can National Geographic sponsor this activity when they are aware of the torture the animal went through? This causes great concern that the ethics of NG have changed under the recent change of leadership: to become a commercial outfit that turns a blind eye to the suffering of wildlife in order to gain profits. The capture of elephants from the wild for captivity is illegal in India. Yet poaching of these animals continues to occur due to tourist pressure. It is utterly dismaying that NG is encouraging this!

I urge you, Mr Knell, to please re-assess the National Geographic Expedition's current stance on captive elephants for human entertainment. Animal cruelty should be vilified in all society. So, please let NG lead the way, as it has for over a century, by condemning all forms of animal cruelty including captive elephants for human entertainment.
Thank You