Elephants at the San Diego County Fair will continue to offer rides -- at least until 2014, directors for the fair decided Tuesday.
Animal rights activists pleaded with the 22nd District Agricultural Association, which runs the fair, to halt the elephant rides. The groups claim trainers for the elephants used abusive techniques with the animals, according to our media partner, the North County Times.
A majority of the directors for the association voted to delay the decision, pending an elephant management policy expected to be enacted by the Zoological Association.
However, opposition to the delay said that the policy will still allow for contact between the trainers and elephants after 2014.
In the meantime, the animal rights activists encouraged the association to cut off ties with the Perris-based elephant company, Have Trunk Will Travel Inc., which provides the elephants for rides at the fair. The activists pointed to a video which they say shows trainers striking and poking elephants.
For more on this story, visit the North County Times’ website.
