This shocking photo shows a baby elephant being forced to entertain guests at a five-star hotel in #Thailand.
The animal’s body is covered by some kind of costume and is surrounded by children and adults by a pool, which is full of other guests.
It was taken at Mövenpick Bangtao Beach in Phuket, which shared the photo on its Facebook page.
The photo was slammed by animal rights activists, who said endangered Asian elephants are not products to be used as ‘ridiculous party props’.
An outcry prompted the hotel to delete the photo and issue an apology.
A hotel spokesperson insisted they do not use animals for entertainment, but that a guest had brought the elephant to the pool for a ‘private event’.
Activist Amy Jones, from Moving Animals, said: ‘Elephants are sensitive, intelligent animals, not products to be used as a ridiculous party prop.
‘Mövenpick Resort Bangtao Beach should not be promoting and supporting such cruelty, and this stunt will undoubtedly be bad for business as more and more tourists turn away from activities which exploit elephants.’
She added: ‘No elephant should have to suffer from this kind of abuse, and Phuket must take steps to make sure that these beautiful animals are protected.’
The hotel, which is part of the Accor hospitality group, has an average rating of 8.8 on Booking.com, which describes it as ‘luxurious’ and a ‘top pick’ for Phuket.
A spokesperson for the Accor group told Metro.co.uk: ‘This was an isolated incident that occurred when a guest brought an elephant onto the property as part of a private event.
‘Our hotels do not use animals for entertainment and this incident has allowed us the opportunity to reinforce to all our network the importance of ensuring the safety and welfare of animals who might enter their grounds.
‘We sincerely apologise for this incident and are committed to doing better in the future to raise awareness of the importance of treating all creatures in an ethical way.
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