BBC show featuring Monty Don riding elephant taken off air amid furious animal cruelty claims
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A programme featuring Monty Don riding an elephant has been taken off air by the BBC amid furious animal cruelty claims.
The episode of the telly horticulturalist’s new BBC2 show Paradise Gardens was removed from iPlayer.
The move came after the Daily Mirror unearthed shocking footage of animals being chained and beaten at Amer Fort, in Jaipur, India, where Monty’s ride was filmed.
The corporation also launched an investigation.
(Image: BBC)
A spokesman said: “The BBC take all allegations of animal mistreatment very seriously and, as such, we will withdraw the programme from iPlayer while we look into it further.”
The decision is a U-turn by BBC bosses.
(Image: BBC)
They had initially insisted to animal welfare campaigners that the show’s production team were satisfied the elephants “were treated well”.
In an email to Audrey Gaffney, of Action for Elephants, the BBC had initially said: “We would like to reassure you the team firstly looked into how the elephants were treated.
(Image: BBC)
“They found that there are rules and practices in place to help ensure the well-being of the elephants at Amer Fort and, after extensive discussions, the team were satisfied elephants here were treated well and in good health.
"They also saw no signs whatsoever of any cruelty in the handling of the elephant.”