Campaign to ban elephant tourism taken to Downing Street

For many tourists, a trip to East Asia wouldn't be complete without satisfying their curiosity to discover the secret world of elephants.

But animal rights activists Rula Lenska and Peter Egan are warning that what may seem like harmless fun is actually incredibly damaging to elephants - and threatens their very existence.

The pair will Monday take a petition to 10 Downing Street, presenting their case for the government banning elephant tourism being marketed to people in the UK. Brits visiting Thailand, India and Sri Lanka can expect the proposed law change to affect them.

The number of elephants roaming Asia has dropped by 960,000 in the last 100 years. It is thought there are 10,000 elephants currently in captivity around the world.