Christine Townend: we made a mistake calling it 'Alternative Elephant Polo'

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>Envelope-to: anpeople

> " christine Townend " <cjt

>anpeople

>CC: Kim Bartlett

>Fw: Yes we made a mistake calling it 'Alternative Elephant Polo'

>Tue, 31 Oct 2006 02:03:38 -0500

>

>FOR YOUR INFORMATION

>------------- Forwarded message follows -------------

>

>Dear Virginia,

>I have long admired from afar your work for protecting the homelands of

>the wild animals, which are being eroded by human encroachment and

>greed’

>In India also the land which belongs to the elephant is being taken,

>the most recent tragedy being the building of a dam on a traditional

>elephant crossing on the Teesta River in Mahananda Wildlife Sanctuary,

>not far from our shelter, the purpose of this construction probably

>being to provide electricity for shopping malls in Calcutta.

>In Jaipur, I watch the rows of captive elephants standing chained on

>cement for most of their lives, restlessly shifting with boredom,

>developing arthritis and foot rot as they stand in their own urine and

>faeces, yearning for the forest to which they can never return. Their

>only escape is the occasional wedding, festival, taking tourists for

>rides, and elephant polo which has been played in Jaipur for over one

>hundred years. What would you do confronted by such suffering and

>sadness? Surely you too would long for them to have any activity which

>would make their lives more bearable.

>We are totally opposed to the traditional elephant polo, where

>elephants are cruelly goaded with the ankush to force them to run

>against their will.

>The mistake which we made was to call the event ‘Alternative Elephant

>Polo’ (it was never termed elephant polo) instead of ‘An Event to

>Demonstrate that the Ankush is not Necessary and to give the 105

>captive elephants something to do which they enjoy’

>And so I am pleased when I see these otherwise chained elephants, being

>able to stretch their legs, to run together, without any goading from

>either a stick or an ankush, and purely from their own choice able to

>share some time with their companions. I know this is second-best to

>being able to push down a tree, or trek for hours along forest tracks,

>or bathe in a river, but at least it is some small diversion in their

>day.

>We believe the best strategy to bring results in human responsibilities

>towards the animals is the reform approach outlined by successful

>American animal rights activist, Henry Spira. He argued that the

>three ‘R’s’ of Refinement, Reduction and Replacement were more

>effective than outright opposition, and that working alongside

>stakeholders brings permanent and lasting changes. This has been

>precisely our experience, because since Help in Suffering entered into

>a partnership with Elephant Family three years ago, working with the

>Rajasthan Government and the elephant owners and mahouts, we have been

>able to bring about many changes:

>a) A twenty-four hour emergency service with mobile clinic headed

>by a 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 previous 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 road in 40-50’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 four to two

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

>terrible accidents which occurred when elephants were traveling 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

>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

>

>This is our successful reformist strategy, and it does not prevent us

>from yearning for a day when the Jaipur elephants can again return to a

>forest sanctuary. It does not stop us calling for a ban on Elephant

>Polo. It does not stop us understanding the suffering of a captive

>elephant who yearns to be again with her own family herd, walking down

>jungle paths, lying in rivers and choosing her own forest food, rather

>than chewing dry sugarcane. We happen to be in Jaipur and so we are

>working to help the Jaipur elephants, but I know that all over

>elephants are suffering in cruel races, chained in temples, and begging

>in the cities.

>The situation is critical in India with human/elephant conflict

>intensifying every day. Let us use the debate over ‘Alternative

>Elephant Polo’ to come together to address these massive and terrible

>threats to the life of the elephant, whilst at the same time working on

>the smaller reforms which bring permanent improvement to the lives of

>captive elephants. Then one day perhaps we will not have to argue over

>whether an ankush is used, or not used, because the elephants will have

>their own homelands and will be free to chose whether they wish to

>interact with humans.

>I am happy to convene a meeting with you of all concerned parties, so

>that a common international strategy can be developed to save the last

>homelands of the elephants which we all love so much.

>

>

>> This is a multi-part message in MIME format.

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>> Dear Ruth Powys

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>> I have been reading the numerous letters from an ever-increasing

>number of people who are opposed to the forthcoming elephant polo match

>in Jaipur. Without hesitation I must add my voice to theirs.

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>> In my view, it is naïve beyond belief to think that not using the

>ankush, in this particular instance will, all of a sudden, spread

>throughout India a kind and compassionate approach to the general

>training of elephants. And as far as hoping to persuade the rich and

>famous who will take part in, or attend the match, that this is the

>first step towards some happy new relationship between man and

>elephant - I have to express deep cynicism. Not everyone has animal

>welfare at the top of his agenda.

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>> I am sure Mark Shand has genuine feelings of affection and kindness

>for elephants - indeed he has demonstrated this over a number of

>years. Therefore it is with disappointment and surprise that I learn

>of his involvement in this bizarre event. Of course, at this match,

>every care will be taken to prevent injury or discomfort to the

>elephants. But does everyone involved really believe that this example

>will subsequently be followed over the whole of India? A pipe dream I

>fear. I foresee that polo matches - or similar activities involving

>elephants - will spring up like mushrooms all over the place. And who

>will be monitoring these, and the training, and the living conditions?

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>> Please, Ms Powys, withdraw your organisation's support. It is not

>too late. The elephants deserve it. They are helpless victims -

>players in a game they should never have learned. If you do, you and

>your colleagues will earn the respect of all of us who - like you -

>work for a time when wild animals are no longer exploited, or caged or

>suffer.

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>> Yours hopefully,

> >

> >

> > Virginia McKenna OBE

>>

>> Chair of Trustees The Born Free Foundation

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> >

> >

 

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