British Zoologist protests elephant polo

[Guest guest]

To whom it may concern.

 

 

 

It will not be a surprise to anyone that people of different cultures relate

to animals in different ways. What is common and accepted in some places is

rare and rejected in others. In the name of culture each of our own ethnic

groups has sealed into history its own idiosyncrasies, rituals and

extravagancies, with little regard of what others may think or understand.

However, the 'luxury' of doing whatever we want with whom we manage to catch

and 'slave' is something no longer acceptable in today's world. Today, in

the 21st century, we do not longer live in isolation, and everyone can

rightly judge each other's actions using common sense and universal ethical

values.

 

 

 

Nobody living in the 21st century belonging to what we collectively call

'humankind' can accept cruelty to others as a valid form of entertainment.

Nobody that demands the right to civilisation can institutionalise slavery

and exploitation as a valid form of celebration. Nobody with the knowledge

of what means to be alive, to suffer pain and to seek peace and happiness

can justify captive chains, hitting sticks, pulling prods and restraining

ropes as the tools and methods of clean " sport " .

 

 

 

Nobody in the 21st century that aims to be considered 'decent' can support

cruel sports, and nobody can really deny that elephant polo is a cruel

sport. Elephant polo for what it is, and for what it truly represents,

should be abolish from this planet. All elephants deserve the respect that

anyone forcing them to 'play' polo denies them. People that attend and

participate in elephant polo matches may not accept that there is anything

wrong with riding elephants and force them to play a 'human' game under the

penalty of pain and suffering if they refuse. They may be blinded with the

delusion that man domination over 'beast' is a 'human right', and the form

of such dominion and the beast chosen to exploit is a 'cultural right'.

 

 

 

It is therefore the responsibility of all those who do 'see' to make them

aware of their errors, and to awake 'abusers' to the reality of what they

are doing and planning to do.

 

 

 

Therefore, this is a message to all those organising the Rajasthan Elephant

Festival, and to all those planning to attend: please awake. Please do not

join those that inflict suffering in denial. Please do not force elephants

to play polo, because they would never force you to 'play' their 'games'

against your will. Please, awake and be decent, and celebrate a cruelty free

festival. The choice is entirely yours. Nobody is forcing you to disrespect

them.

 

 

 

Jordi Casamitjana

 

Zoologist and Animal Protection campaigner

 

UK