Sister of Elephant Attack Victim Advocates for Ban on Dangerous Tourism Advertisements

Helen Costigan, the older sister of a woman who lost her life to an elephant attack, is urging UK ministers to prohibit advertising that promotes dangerous tourist attractions involving animal performances. At 49 years old, Costigan believes the government should stop marketing holiday destinations where animals are made to perform tricks or give rides, highlighting that the Animals (Low-Welfare Activities Abroad) Act, passed in 2023, has yet to be implemented.

Reflecting on her family's ordeal, which was compounded by the earlier loss of their mother, Costigan expressed that the aftermath of the tragic event drastically changed her life. She suffered significant injuries from the attack in 2000 and alludes to a loss of future family plans as a result of not being aware of the risks associated with engaging with such attractions. She advocates for public awareness campaigns that would inform potential tourists of the dangers involved, suggesting that insurance companies could play a role by denying coverage for certain animal entertainment activities that do not meet specific safety criteria.

The campaign group Save the Asian Elephant has identified numerous companies promoting what they consider unethical elephant-related attractions to the UK market. Since 2000, there have been almost 1,000 injury cases and several fatalities related to elephant tourism. Notably, Helen's sister, Andrea Taylor, lost her life during a bull elephant obedience demonstration in Thailand. Duncan McNair, CEO of Save the Asian Elephants, commented on the critical state of wildlife due to tourism practices and urged for immediate action from the government to enforce the supporting legislation that would curb cruelty in these attractions.

Additionally, a recent poll by the Whale and Dolphin Conservation highlights public concern regarding marine animal welfare, indicating that many people would reconsider visiting captive marine shows if they were made aware of the animals' suffering. Danny Groves from the organization criticized companies that continue to exploit marine animals for entertainment, reinforcing that captivity is harmful to their well-being. In response, the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs reiterated its commitment to improving animal welfare and stated it would announce plans for the implementation of the Animals (Low-Welfare Activities Abroad) Act soon.