The TreadRight Foundation announces partnership with Wildlife SOS India on World Elephant Day

12 August, 2016: The TreadRight Foundation, a not-for-profit joint initiative between The Travel Corporation’s (TTC) family of brands, is proud to introduce Wildlife SOS – India as its newest Wildlife Initiative partner.

TTC’s announcement marks the fifth annual World Elephant Day, which encourages people to experience elephants in non-exploitative and sustainable environments where elephants can thrive under care and protection.

Wildlife SOS – India is TreadRight’s third Wildlife Initiative partner, joining leading organizations WildAid and the Wilderness Foundation – Africa in their shared goal of helping to ensure the planet’s most at risk wildlife populations are protected.

TreadRight is helping to support Wildlife SOS – India’s ‘Captive Elephants Welfare Project,’ which specifically addresses the problem of injured and sick elephants made to work in stressful and oppressive conditions. Their aim is to reach out to lone elephants, wounded and dehydrated on the streets, which do not have access to proper medical care. The project’s goal is to bring about change in the state of captive elephants in Delhi and other areas by providing veterinary support, with a long-term goal of ending the trafficking of wild elephants for captivity.

Wildlife SOS – India works closely with law enforcement officers, forest departments, and other enforcement agencies in order to help captive elephants. As it looks to build out its influence and ability to provide aid and assistance, the organization is in need of a permanent location where it can consistently educate, update and train enforcement agencies and staff about anti-poaching efforts, wildlife laws, dealing with human/elephant conflict situations, and proper elephant management.

“It is upsetting to know that these highly intelligent and emotional animals suffer for much of their lives in such distressing conditions,” remarks Brett Tollman, CEO, TTC and Founder, TreadRight Foundation.

“Fortunately, we’ve seen that Wildlife SOS – India works tirelessly to deliver a better life for these elephants. It is our privilege to be able to call them a TreadRight Wildlife Initiative partner and help ensure they can continue to carry out their inspiring and invaluable work.”

With the grant provided by TreadRight, Wildlife SOS – India will now be able to build a permanent Enforcement Training classroom at the Elephant Conservation and Care Centre in Mathura, Uttar, as well as outfit the centre with the necessary equipment.

Wildlife SOS – India will also work with TTC’s family of brands to help raise awareness about the potential harm captive elephant-related activities can have and what can be done to avoid unintentionally supporting wildlife trafficking.

Locally through AAT Kings, TreadRight supports the conservation of New Zealand’s native kiwi by contributing to the Rainbow Springs breeding programme in Rotorua. The programme includes hatching and raising kiwi chicks, performing health checks and daily monitoring, as well as researching kiwi incubation and rearing.

Across the Tasman, TreadRight and AAT Kings partner with Australia Zoo’s Wildlife Warriors programme, which supports the medical treatment and rehabilitation of koalas at the zoo. Guests on AAT Kings’ Queensland guided holidays also visit the Australia Zoo Wildlife Hospital to see the incredible work the team does first hand.

The Travel Corporation’s family of brands include Trafalgar, Contiki, Insight Vacations, AAT Kings, Uniworld Boutique River Cruises and Adventure World.

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