Skin-damaged dolphins and elephants forced to play tug of war: Thomas Cook blacklists 'wildlife tourism' holidays after attractions fail basic welfare standards 

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Thomas Cook is axing a number of dolphin and elephant attractions after a damning report revealed that they do not meet official welfare standards.

The report found dolphins with badly damaged skin and heavily chained elephants showing signs of distress in five destinations including the Dominican Republic, Cuba and Thailand.

Some elephants had been forced to spin hoops, stand on small platforms and take part in a 'tug of war' at attractions for which staff had sold tickets and earned commission.

Thomas Cook is axing a number of dolphin and elephant attractions after a damning report revealed concerning welfare standards. One of the attractions to be dropped is Ocean World, in the Dominican Republic (pictured)

Other attractions dropped include Sealanya in Turkey (pictured), which also offers swimming with dolphins

Some elephants had been forced to spin hoops, stand on small platforms and take part in a 'tug of war' at attractions (stock image) 

The Sunday Times reported that the audit found 16 of the 25 destinations inspected did not meet the minimum standards of UK travel industry body Abta.

Though Thomas Cook, Britain's second biggest travel company, did not name all the infringements, it condemned the company's that had failed to meet requirements.

Chief executive Peter Frankhauser told the Sunday Times: 'Our industry has not changed fast enough. By taking these attractions off sale, we are sending a message that we won't accept anything less than full compliance with the welfare standards our customers would expect.'

The 25 inspections were carried out by Global Spirit last year, and the auditors will inspect the 90 captive animal attractions that Thomas Cook sells tickets for. 

One of the attractions to be dropped is Ocean World, in the Dominican Republic, which offers swimming with dolphins and shows, but has a bad track record in animal welfare.

In 2009, an inspection by the Wold Society for the Protection of Animals found that dolphins were held in shallow tanks surrounded by 20 tourists for 30 minutes at a time, forced to 'hug and 'shake hands' with each one. 

The report found dolphins with badly damaged skin and heavily chained elephants showing signs of distress in five destinations. Stock image

One of the attractions to be dropped is Ocean World, in the Dominican Republic, which offers swimming with dolphins and shows. Stock image

Some elephants had been forced to spin hoops, stand on small platforms and take part in a 'tug of war' at attractions for which staff had sold tickets and earned commission. Stock image

Other attractions dropped include Sealanya in Turkey, which also offers swimming with dolphins, and Baan Chang tours in Koh Samui, Thailand, which does elephant rides.

Other destinations where attractions are being axed are in India and Cuba.

Virgin Holidays announced recently that it would no longer promote new animal shows, however, Thomas Cook is believed to be the first holiday company to cancel links with existing attractions.  

The five attractions axed have been asked for comment but did not respond. The Thai embassy in London told The Sunday Times: 'It is illegal in Thailand to maltreat elephants and legal charges may be brought against those involved.

Attractions dropped include Sealanya in Turkey, which also offers swimming with dolphins, and Baan Chang tours in Koh Samui, Thailand, which does elephant rides (pictured, stock)

'Elephant camps are one means through which elephants can be properly cared for. Without work in tourism, coupled with the banning of logging in protected forest areas in Thailand, elephant owners will have no means to care for their animals, and will resort to street begging.'

The report comes amid good news for the tour operator, which announced that it expected to hit its full-year operating targets after seeing early signs that tourists were returning to troubled markets Turkey and Egypt.

Thomas Cook, which unnerved investors in February when it issued a cautious outlook, said trading for the group was progressing in line with expectations.

While it saw some margin pressure due to more competition, demand for summer holidays was strong.

'After a slow start to the season and a tough year in 2016, we're seeing early signs that customers are beginning to go back to Turkey and Egypt,' it said.