Cambodia has announced that they are going to ban all elephant rides at Angkor Temple Park by 2020, and they are going to relocate all the elephants to new homes in jungles.

The Angkor Archaeological Complex in Northern Siem Reap, Cambodia, is responsible for bringing in millions of tourists in the country.

Last year alone, 6 million tourists came to Cambodia and many of them opt-in for elephant rides around the ancient temples.

But thanks to the new laws, the cruel elephant rides are going to stop by the start of 2020.

Apsara Authority, the government agency that oversees the Angkor Archaeological Complex in Northern Siem Reap, Cambodia, said it is important for the animals to live in jungles, their natural home.

The authority said they are going to offer other ways of transportation for tourists.

Some of the 14 elephants at the site are old and are ill.

Apsara Authority has been providing rides for tourists since 2001 and they were also trained to do performances for the tourists.

Long Kosal, the spokesperson of the Apsara Authority, said the elephants that are carrying tourists around are really old.

Mr. Long said, “Using elephants for business is not appropriate anymore. They will live out their natural lives there.”

Mr. Long said the elephants the company that owns the elephants are going to continue to look after the elephants.

2 of the elephants have already been taken by truck to their new home, where they will be resting now.

According to reports, 5 out of the 14 elephants have been moved to a forest 40 kilometers away from the temples.

Huge win for everyone who loves animals and for the elephants!