Our commitment to a sustainable and compassionate world extends unequivocally to the protection of animals, particularly those most vulnerable to human exploitation. At Sustainable Action Now, we actively campaign against the cruel treatment of wildlife, working to ensure that majestic creatures like elephants are spared from abuse and forced performances.
We are thrilled to share a recent victory that exemplifies the power of collective advocacy: Cruel Elephant Shows Stopped by Colorado Parks & Wildlife. Despite a Colorado law banning certain traveling animal acts, Colorado Parks & Wildlife (CPW) was considering a license application for elephants to perform yet again at the Colorado Renaissance Festival. However, thanks to the tireless efforts of organizations like PETA and Compassion Works International, and the resonant voices of supporters across Colorado, CPW heard the public outcry. They commendably denied the license application, ensuring that elephants will not be exploited at the upcoming festival.
These exploitative shows are far from “educational,” as exhibitors often falsely claim to bypass legal protections. In reality, they force elephants to perform unnatural behaviors that are entirely foreign to their wild instincts. Elephants subjected to such spectacles often endure brutal training from a young age, including beatings with bullhooks—sharp metal sticks resembling fireplace pokers—leaving them traumatized and terrified of their abusers. This is not education; it is pure exploitation, and Colorado Parks & Wildlife made the right decision in denying the license. Our heartfelt gratitude goes out to everyone who raised their voice on behalf of these magnificent creatures.
However, the fight is far from over. Other Renaissance Fairs across the country continue to exploit elephants. We urge you to take action and contact these fairs, demanding an end to animal abuse.
Furthermore, we are actively challenging platforms that, perhaps inadvertently, perpetuate this cruelty. TripSavvy, a popular travel-planning website, is currently falling short of its “savvy” name when it comes to elephant exploitation. This site provides misleading and incomplete information about exploitative elephant attractions. This includes facilities that offer elephant rides and illegitimate “sanctuaries” that permit direct interaction with elephants, such as touching, feeding, and bathing. It is crucial to understand that no truly reputable elephant sanctuary in the world allows such direct, forced interactions.
At these sham elephant “sanctuaries” and other tourism facilities, elephants are not permitted to roam freely in their natural habitats. Instead, their lives are characterized by exploitation, abuse, and stressful, forced interactions with the public. Every elephant used for rides, bathing, photo opportunities, and other interactions first endures an inherently abusive training process designed to “break” their spirits, followed by routine beatings and profound psychological torment. In their natural habitat, elephants spend their days socializing, swimming, browsing for food, and engaging in natural play. They would never voluntarily choose to interact with humans without first being subjected to violence and forced into submission.
By failing to adequately inform tourists about the inherent abuse behind elephant rides and interactions, TripSavvy inadvertently helps to fuel demand for an egregiously cruel industry built on violence and domination. We urge the company to truly live up to its name and immediately cease promoting tourist attractions that exploit elephants and other animals. Please send polite, yet firm, comments to the CEO of Dotdash Meredith, Neil Vogel, at nvogel@dotdash.com. While we provide a sample letter, using your own words is always more impactful. For more information on our efforts to protect elephants and how you can get involved, please visit https://sustainableactionnow.org/elephants/.
Measurable Impact and the Path Forward
Our multifaceted efforts are yielding tangible results. Through partnerships, advocacy, community engagement, and crucial legal and human rights support, Sustainable Action Now has contributed to:
- Increased Awareness: Our campaigns and educational initiatives have reached millions, fostering greater understanding of climate change, biodiversity loss, environmental justice, human rights issues such as the death penalty, and the urgent need for animal welfare and protection.
- Policy and Legal Influence: We actively engage with policymakers to champion legislation that supports renewable energy transition, protects critical habitats, and promotes sustainable resource management. Simultaneously, our support for groundbreaking legal actions like “Lighthiser v. Trump,” our advocacy against the death penalty, and our campaigns for animal welfare aim to secure legal protections for environmental health, youth rights, human dignity, and the ethical treatment of animals, challenging harmful policies and practices directly.
- Community Empowerment: We provide resources and support to local communities, enabling them to implement sustainable solutions tailored to their specific needs, from renewable energy projects to local conservation efforts and human and animal rights advocacy.
- Conservation Support: Our collaborations with on-the-ground conservation projects ensure vital habitats and species receive the protection they need, from safeguarding waterholes to preserving critical ecosystems and preventing the exploitation of wildlife.
Looking ahead, Sustainable Action Now is committed to scaling our impact across all fronts. We plan to expand our educational outreach programs, forge new strategic partnerships, intensify our advocacy for ambitious environmental policies, and continue our steadfast support for vital environmental litigation, human rights initiatives, and animal welfare campaigns. We will continue to leverage innovative technologies, much like the SafariLive Sunset and our “LIVE at the waterhole” events, to bring the wonders of nature closer to a global audience, transforming passive observers into passionate protectors, and empowering active citizens to demand a sustainable future rooted in both ecological health and human and animal justice.
Join the Movement: Your Role in Sustainable Action Now
The challenges are significant, but so is the power of collective action. Every choice, every voice, and every effort contributes to building a sustainable future. Sustainable Action Now is more than an organization; it is a movement that thrives on the participation of individuals like you. We invite you to join us on this critical journey.
Whether it’s by supporting our initiatives, sharing our message, reducing your own environmental footprint, becoming an advocate for climate, social, and animal justice, or simply taking a moment to appreciate the profound beauty and fragility of nature, your participation makes an undeniable difference. The time for sustainable action is not tomorrow; it is now. Together, we can safeguard our planet for generations to come, ensuring a vibrant, thriving world for all.
