Bereaved sister slams animal tourism abuse

THE sister of a woman gored to death by an elephant has demanded ministers enact a law banning tourism adverts for dangerous attractions abroad.

- By Steph Spyro DEPUTY POLITICAL EDITOR

Helen Costigan, who was injured so badly herself she is unable to have children, wants the Government to ban promotions of holiday venues where animals are forced to perform tricks and give rides.

The Animals (Low-Welfare Activities Abroad) Act was passed in 2023 but has not yet come into force.

Ms Costigan, 49, of Widnes in Cheshire, whose father Geoff was also hurt at the Thai attraction, said: “Until [the law is enforced] people are going to continue to get hurt or killed, and families broken in two. My family never recovered. We’d lost my mum a few years previously.

“My dad was never the same person. I lost my chance to reproduce, [because] I wasn’t educated on the abuse and danger.”