CUPA RESPONDS TO HELP IN SUFFERING ON ELEPHANT POLO

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Suparna Ganguly <suparnaganguly

Nov 8, 2006 10:46 PM

Re: elephant polo HIS Jaipur

 

 

 

Shubho, you can please put this version on the AAPN - suparna

 

On 08/11/06, Suparna Ganguly <suparnaganguly wrote:

>

>

>

> *I strongly feel that HIS should try and change the name and nature of the

> event, keeping in mind - alternative or not - polo has no place in the

> animal world except as entertainment , and sends wrong signals to the

> public. *

>

 

*It is uncannily similar to an event, if planned, to raise money and

> consciousness for the conservation of sloth bears in India and be titled " An

> Alternative Bear Dancing Event " (without iron ring and sticks) . Public

> viewing dancing bears, albeit without sticks and chains, in my opinion, will

> be a travesty of all that we are fighting for. *

>

**

* Is it not natural that such events will alarm most people in the animal

world ?*

**

* Are not the ethical and moral issues of using all and especially wild

animals for entertainmant and sports, self-evident?

*

*List of HIS achievements has been rightly and deeply appreciated by one and

all but in context to this event, it is besides the point.*

* *

 

> *Surely EF and Cartier would respond to HIS advice, as their working

> partners, when it comes to sponsoring events in our country, to change the

> nature and name of the event?*

> * *

> *Suparna*

>

>

>

> >

> > Dr.Naveen Pandey <naveen_vet

> > Nov 8, 2006 7:45 PM

> > elephant polo HIS Jaipur

> > aapn

> > Cc: cjt

> >

> > Help in Suffering has watched with surprise as much unfair criticism has

> > taken place on the internet regarding Help in Suffering's support of the

> > Cartier Alternative Elephant Polo to be held in Jaipur on 18th November.

> >

> >

> > Unfortunately some mischievous information has been put about that HIS

> > is organising this event. In fact HIS will be in attendance to monitor the

> > event in return for ongoing funding from Elephant Family which has enabled

> > us to achieve many welfare benefits for the elephants of Jaipur.

> >

> >

> > Working with the Rajasthan Government, so that all changes will be of a

> > permanent nature, the following has been achieved:

> >

> > a) A 24-hour emergency service with mobile clinic headed by vet is

> > available to treat or help any elephant in distress within the city of

> > Jaipur, the only one of its kind in India.

> > b) The use of the ankush (the hooked iron goad) used to 'control' the

> > elephants, has been banned in Jaipur. The government is currently planning

> > to place video cameras at Amer where elephants congregate and any violation

> > of this rule will result in a fine. We believe this is the first time in

> > India that such a regulation has been introduced. To date eighty percent of

> > elephant owners have stopped using the ankush and we expect one hundred

> > percent co-operation in the near future.

> > c) Crippled and mistreated elephants have been refused permission to

> > work for the Tourist Department and have been removed permanently from their

> > employment.

> > d) Elephants previously stood in burning sun both in their private

> > quarters and at Amer Fort waiting to take the tourists for rides. Now shade

> > has been provided both at Amer and by owners in the pilkhanas.

> > e) Living conditions for elephants have been improved, and regular

> > inspections are taking place. If living quarters do not come up to standard,

> > action is taken against owners.

> > f) Previously the elephant rides were unlimited and elephants were

> > labouring on burning roads in 40-45'c heat during the summer months. The

> > elephants are now only permitted to take two rides each in the early morning

> > during the summer months and five rides when the climate is suitable for

> > elephants.

> > g) The return downhill ride, carrying four people, which was so

> > difficult for the elephant, has now been banned.

> > h) The number of persons allowed to ride on the howdah has been

> > reduced from 4 to 2

> > i) Traffic reflectors have been distributed to prevent some of the

> > terrible accidents which occurred when elephants were travelling on the

> > roads at night

> > j) An office has been opened at the historic site of Amer by HIS/ef

> > and notices placed to encourage tourists to report any cruelty they see

> > inflicted on any elephant

> > k) The Rajasthan Government is in process of licensing all mahouts

> > and of ensuring they receive a proper salary so that the constant changing

> > of mahouts will be avoided and a proper bonding between elephant and human

> > can be maintained. Unacceptable cruelty by a mahout will result in the loss

> > of licence.

> > l) In Jaipur all the elephants have now been identified by the

> > Forest Department, thus ensuring that their movement can be controlled and

> > policed.

> > m) Elephant Family and HIS are developing a new, lightweight howdah,

> > which will totally stop damage to the elephant's spine.

> >

> > It has taken six years to bring about the support and gain the

> > confidence of the mahouts and elephant owners. This has not been an easy

> > situation given their traditions. Now they have seen the need for change and

> > have committed to work for the above principles, thus ensuring that the

> > change is coming willing from within, rather than being authoritatively

> > imposed, and therefore resulting in a permanent solution.

> >

> > None of this would have been achieved without the financial backing and

> > huge time commitment of Elephant Family.

> >

> > Therefore we wish to clarify that, Help in Suffering, as the leading NGO

> > in Jaipur which has done so much work for the elephants, was called upon by

> > Elephant Family to monitor the event, and we have responded to their

> > request.

> >

> >

> > Christine Townend.

> > Help in Suffering.

> >

> >

> >

> >

> >

> >

> > Dr.Naveen Pandey (B.V.Sc & A.H.)

> > Vet-in-Charge

> > Darjeeling Goodwill Animal Shelter

> > Kalimpong, Distt.Darjeeling

> > West Bengal, INDIA

> > PIN 734301

> >

> > Phone +91-98320-27208

> >

> > http://www.his-india.com/

> >

> >