Sangita Iyer and Henry Smith at the Parliament event for Asian elephants.
On 19 June 2023 the Action for Elephants team was pleased to work with Sangita Iyer and Henry Smith MP in setting up an audience in Parliament to highlight the crisis facing elephants in India.
Animal rights champion Henry Smith sponsored the event in Westminster and invited renowned elephant conservationist, award-winning wildlife filmmaker, and founder of Voices for Asian Elephants, Sangita Iyer, who spoke to MPs and Lords about the alarming number of elephant deaths in a presentation to Parliament.
More than 85 prominent people, including members of the House of Lords and House of Commons, along with celebrities including William Shatner, Rula Lenska, and Peter Egan, signed a letter urging Indian Prime Minister Modi to do everything possible to control human-elephant conflict and prevent the extinction of the gravely endangered Asian elephants, India’s heritage animal.
Ms. Iyer is now in discussions with other world leaders to make similar presentations in hopes of garnering their support and adding to the international chorus urging action from PM Modi.
The event was covered by press in the UK and India:
Renowned elephant conservationist to speak at UK parliament on Asian elephant crisis (Eastern Eye – UK)
Indian-Canadian elephant conservationist Sangita Iyer to address UK parliament on Asian elephant crisis (India Weekly – UK)
Members of UK Parliament urge PM Modi to protect endangered Asian elephants (The Statesman)
Members of UK Parliament urge PM Modi to protect endangered Asian elephants (DT Next)
British lawmakers rally for the cause of elephants in India (The Hindu)
Indo-Canadian biologist takes up cudgels for Indian elephants in UK parliament (The Newsmen)
Indo-Canadian biologist takes up cudgels for Indian elephants in UK parliament (Mathrubhumi)
Members of UK Parliament urge PM Modi to protect endangered Asian elephants (The Siasat Daily)
Translated in Hindi (newsnationtv.com is watched by those who do not understand English)
ब्रिटेन के सांसदों ने मोदी से एशियाई हाथियों को बचाने की अपील की – News Nation
Members of UK Parliament urge PM Modi to protect endangered Asian elephants (Social News)
Members of UK Parliament urge PM Modi to protect endangered Asian elephants (Daijiworld)
Maria Mossman and Joanne Smith of AFE