BBC chiefs are refusing to apologise after presenter Monty Don rode an elephant in an area where keepers chain and beat them.
The corporation and presenter have been slammed after the Paradise Gardens show on BBC 2 featured a visit to Amer Fort in India after footage showed the animals being mistreated.
The broadcaster refused to comment last week when the episode aired but have since claimed its production team found no evidence of mistreatment in an inspection.
Footage emerged of an elephant in the region shackled, sparking fury from campaigners that the BBC had allowed a presenter to ride on one of the animals
These men were captured running toward an elephant to beat it in the north of Jaipur, India
But elephants were shown shackled in shocking footage as a picture showed one being beaten with sticks and iron bullhooks by a mob of eight men.
A guide told the people who captured the violence that it was inflicted because the elephants ‘act out’ in the hot climate.
The animals are used to transport tourists in the area, which is in the north of Jaipur.
The BBC responded to a request for a comment by Action for Elephants’ Audrey Gaffney, according to Mirror Online.
Monty Don was filmed riding the animal for the Paradise Gardens show saying: ‘It’s how the Raja would arrive.’
In an email the broadcaster said: ‘We would like to reassure you the team firstly looked into how the elephants were treated.
‘They found that there are rules and practices in place to help ensure the well-being of the elephants at Amer Fort and, after extensive discussions, the team were satisfied elephants here were treated well and in good health. They also saw no signs whatsoever of any cruelty in the handling of the elephant.’
But Audrey told the news site that handlers would not be likely to show cruelty to the elephants openly in front of TV crew inspectors.
She accused the BBC of failing ‘in its objective of balanced reporting’ and of promoting cruelty.
Born Free Foundation president Will Travers warned Monty was setting an example for other people to ride on the mistreated elephants.
When he was riding the elephant, Monty said: ‘It’s the appropriate way, because it’s how the Raja would arrive.’
Keepers tame wild elephants by restraining them in cages and sometimes beating them in a process known as ‘crushing’.
Nicky Campbell, who also presents on the BBC, described the ride as ‘utterly appalling’.
The animal rights advocate said: ‘It’s just as we were progressing on informing people of abuse. Utterly appalling. With all the good the BBC is doing too.’