Six Flags Discovery Kingdom Ends Elephant Rides
In yet another milestone victory for elephants in California, Six Flags Discovery Kingdom will no longer force them to give rides, following conversations with PETA. The move comes just weeks after TripAdvisor announced that it will no longer sell tickets to elephant rides and California Gov. Jerry Brown signed legislation banning bullhooks—weapons that resemble a fireplace poker with a sharp metal hook on one end, which handlers use to beat elephants into submission.
Six Flags previously contracted with Have Trunk Will Travel, whose handlers were caught on tape beating elephants with bullhooks and shocking them with electric prods.
In addition, on average, one human is killed in the U.S. every year by a captive elephant, and many more are injured.
PETA is sending the theme park a box of delicious elephant-shaped vegan chocolates and sincere thanks on behalf of all the elephants who’ve suffered in the entertainment industry.
