A SHOCKING undercover video has been revealed showing the treatment of elephants at Blackpool Zoo.

Shot by a man working in conjunction with the Captive Animal Protection Society, the controversial video has been widely circulated to officials throughout the Fylde.

As a result Coun Ian Fowler, the chief whip and press officer for the Conservative group on Blackpool Borough Council who received a copy, issued a statement on Wednesday (January 5).

Coun Fowler told the Citizen: "It is plain to see on the video the horrendous treatment that is being meted out to these two animals.

"The video will be shown at the next meeting of the Executive Committee at Blackpool Borough Council, but not with the blessing of the ruling Labour Group who have tried to supress this evidence at every turn.

"I strongly urge all animal lovers to turn up at the town hall on January 12 to watch this video.

"The use of spiked steel sticks to jab the elephants is commonplace throughout and you can plainly hear the elephants squeal in pain.

"But the worst part of the video for me was the pitiful sight of the two elephants touching each other's wounds with their trunks in an attempt to comfort each other.

"We do not need elephants that do circus-type tricks and carry men on their backs. Performing animals are banned in Blackpool." Blackpool Zoo manager Iain Valentine has also seen the video and told the Citizen: "This is not an undercover video and has been around since 1998. We gave permission for it to be filmed and in fact are still owed money for it.

"There isn't anything in this video that I feel is wrong or shows safety and health being compromised.

"The yellow implement is in fact a 'hot shot' similar to a cattle prod and keepers must carry it for protection.

"As for the spiked steel sticks they are called ancus and have been recognised elephant equipment for thousands of years as a steering wheel for elephants similar to a dog lead or bridle for horses. And elephants make a lot of noise all the time - they are not squealing in pain.

"Elephants must also be taught certain commands for medical reasons and general welfare such as lifting feet for inspection and picking up sticks for trunk control.

"We are keen to keep our methods of looking after our animals open and have invited Blackpool councillors to come to the zoo next week (January 11) to view the video and ask our keepers any questions they may have.

"We will also be showing some footage of elephant attacks on keepers and explaining why we must have these safety measures on hand."

The American trainer Scott Riddle visited Blackpool Zoo in September 1999 for three weeks and returned in November to help integrate the two new elephant arrivals from Germany.

He has now returned to the USA where he runs an elephant sanctuary in Arkansas for difficult and dangerous elephants.

Councillors will review the video on January 12 at the Executive Committee meeting at 10am in the town hall and members of CAPS intend to petition with placards and vans with tannoys on the day to drum up support for their cause.

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