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<p>We are aware of reports that elephants in use in the tourist industry in India
have been captured as calves and then beaten and mistreated. This practice is illegal
in India. UK officials have had discussions on this issue with Save The Asian Elephant
(STAE).</p><p>The UK is committed to conserving Asian elephants and recognises the
growing threats to their populations, including from the cross-border, illegal trade
in live animals to feed the demand by the tourist and entertainment industries. The
UK has been working internationally through the Convention on International Trade
in Endangered Species (CITES) in discussion with elephant range states, including
India, to increase protection for Asian elephants. We secured agreement in 2014 for
elephant range states to put in place measures to prevent illegal trade in live elephants.</p><p>We
are very much looking forward to Indian Prime Minister Modi’s visit, which gives us
an opportunity to discuss a range of issues. We will continue to work together with
the Indian authorities, as well as STAE and other non-governmental organisation, on
protecting elephants.</p>
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