Elephant polo: Benjamin Zephaniah registers disapproval

[Guest guest]

I am sure the comments made by Dr. Benjamin Zephaniah are enough to silence

the last remaining critics of the Anti-Elephant Polo Brigade.

 

How well said:

" If for some reason you can't imagine any elephants games, then just imagine

how difficult it is for them to comprehend the strange games that humans

play " .

 

Pity, if still there are still any takers to glorify the game within our

community.

 

Azam Siddiqui

 

 

On 06 Apr 2007 21:02:37 -0700, <

journalistandanimals wrote:

>

> Hi ,

>

> sorry for my late reply but I have been traveling and

> I have only just arrived in England.

>

> I hope this quote is suitable for you.

>

> All the best

>

> Benjamin

>

> Elephants love playing games, they love playing

> elephant games. If for some reason you can't imagine

> any elephants games, then just imagine how difficult

> it is for them to comprehend the strange games that

> humans play. The truth is you cannot be an animal

> lover and use animals for sports, animals are not here

> for our entertainment, or our games. Elephants are

> graceful intelligent animals, who have not survived

> thousands of years to run around a field chasing a

> ball, and if people who run around fields chasing

> balls had a fraction of the intelligence of an

> elephant they would know that. Elephant polo is a

> cruel sport, and it has to stop. If it's all about the

> winning let them take away the elephants and use their

> cars.

>

> Dr Benjamin Zephaniah

>

>

 

 

 

[Guest guest]

>I am sure the comments made by Dr. Benjamin Zephaniah are enough to silence

>the last remaining critics of the Anti-Elephant Polo Brigade.

 

 

I didn't think he said anything remarkable.

 

The bottom line for elephant polo is that the elephants

involved are already captive, and already are either working,

hauling tourists, or standing around with nothing to do.

 

Of all the different kinds of work they might be required to

perform, playing elephant polo is among the least onerous. It might

even be fun. Probably some elephants enjoy it more than others, but

certainly there are no signs, as yet, that captive elephants find

it less enjoyable than anything else they do.

 

There is no chance whatever that any of these elephants can

be returned to the wild, which for many of them no longer exists,

and small chance that many could be sent to sanctuaries, which also

don't exist anywhere near most of the elephant polo venues.

 

Conversely, there is also no history and no likelihood of

elephants being captured to play elephant polo. There are already a

surplus of elephants in captivity, in the nations hosting elephant

polo, and elephant polo has no potential whatever for becoming a

successful spectator sport, televised sport, or gambling sport.

 

As a slightly modified football cheer goes, " There's an

elephant over here, and an elephant over there, and the game they

are playing ain't going nowhere. "

 

So worrying about it is a complete waste of time. Worry

about the many activities that are really harming elephants, often

in huge numbers.

 

 

> " If for some reason you can't imagine any elephants games, then just imagine

>how difficult it is for them to comprehend the strange games that humans

>play " .

 

I imagine elephants can understand elephant polo at least as

well as most Americans can understand cricket, or most Indians can

understand baseball.

 

 

--

Merritt Clifton

Editor, ANIMAL PEOPLE

P.O. Box 960

Clinton, WA 98236

 

Telephone: 360-579-2505

Fax: 360-579-2575

E-mail: anmlpepl

Web: www.animalpeoplenews.org

 

[ANIMAL PEOPLE is the leading independent newspaper providing

original investigative coverage of animal protection worldwide,

founded in 1992. Our readership of 30,000-plus includes the

decision-makers at more than 10,000 animal protection organizations.

We have no alignment or affiliation with any other entity. $24/year;

for free sample, send address.]

[Guest guest]

Seems to me that someone has hacked into Merritt's email id and sent a

reply... I am sure all of us have ignored that email....

 

" I didn't think he said anything remarkable. "

Dr. Benjamin might not have said anything remarkable according to that

person! But for me the person who wrote the email (from Meritt's email id)

is probably either a captive elephants dealer, an elephant polo sponsor, an

elephant polo player or someone who gets perks out of catching elephants

from the wild.

 

" The bottom line for elephant polo is that the elephants

involved are already captive, and already are either working,

hauling tourists, or standing around with nothing to do. "

Take this logic.... elephants caught for elephant polo are used in other

activities when the matches are over.....until the next match

 

" Of all the different kinds of work they might be required to

perform, playing elephant polo is among the least onerous. "

This is one...ONE of the ridiculous statements in this email... elephant

polo is among the least onerous?? Really?? thats news to me... Cos from the

training to the beatings the elephant endures if it were to be a part of the

losing team.....if you were to call it less onerous... I am unsure as to

what I should comment!

 

" It might even be fun. Probably some elephants enjoy it more than others,

but

certainly there are no signs, as yet, that captive elephants find

it less enjoyable than anything else they do. "

This statement i have heard quite often from illiterate, insensitive

politicians here who say they look happy while playing elephant polo....

Now this is something i learnt...an elephant overturning a truck or charging

at people during an elephant polo match is an act of jubilation... And i thought

i knew a lot about elephants!

 

" There is no chance whatever that any of these elephants can

be returned to the wild, which for many of them no longer exists,

and small chance that many could be sent to sanctuaries, which also

don't exist anywhere near most of the elephant polo venues. "

I cant find the news link... but recently an elephant has been sent from

Rajasthan (North India) to Kerala (south India). With all the sancturies we have

all over India (and similarly in other elephant polo countries...Thailand, Sri

Lanka), telling me this is ridiculous again.

 

" So worrying about it is a complete waste of time. Worry

about the many activities that are really harming elephants, often

in huge numbers. "

Probably we should bother about the mosquitoes biting them at night.

 

Merritt,

 

Dear Sir, please secure your email, else people will send out such absurd

emails from your id and people will wonder why someone with 'so many years

of experience' in animal welfare is making a comment like this. I strongly

believe that some one set you up! Right Sir?

 

To all,

Elephant polo continues to remain a PRIORITY issue like a lot of other

issues we are all fighting for. Do not lower your guard on this as people are

waiting to capitalize on an opportunity to have this flourish for their personal

benefits!

 

Thanks,

Pablo

[Guest guest]

<I imagine elephants can understand elephant polo at least as

well as most Americans can understand cricket, or most Indians can

understand baseball.>

 

Yes, I can understand why Merritt firmly stands to his opinion and simply

refuses to believe opinions of elephant experts worldwide on 'Elephant

Polo'.

 

If we are to go by what Merritt writes, he uses the word " IMAGINE " and not

" UNDERSTAND " .

So one can well understand that Merritt being a common man uses his

'Imaginary Powers' to understand what is good and what is bad for the

elephant.

Unfortunately 'Elephant Polo' is a much too serious issue to be discussed and

debated on the foundation of 'Imaginary Powers'.

My Dear Merritt, we are speaking on Elephants and if at all you are serious

about reporting or using your journalistic skills to voice for destitute

Asian elephants in captivity being made to do all kinds of weird human

interest thingys, then please please get the 'EXPERTS TO SPEAK' on this.

Do not send out an advertisement demanding respect for yourself as an

expert on 'Elephants' merely on the basis of your 'Imaginary Powers'.

 

Look into http://www.stopelephantpolo.com for the complete list of 'Experts

on Elephants' who have all collectively voiced against 'Elephant Polo'.

I am not too sure that you can find words to criticize them for their views,

it shall be dishonoring them of the respect that they command.

 

Let us together strive to end frivolous games of human interest that are

growing every passing day.

 

 

 

Azam Siddiqui

 

On 08 Apr 2007 19:43:28 -0700, Merritt Clifton <anmlpepl wrote:

>

> >I am sure the comments made by Dr. Benjamin Zephaniah are enough to

> silence

> >the last remaining critics of the Anti-Elephant Polo Brigade.

>

> I didn't think he said anything remarkable.

>

> The bottom line for elephant polo is that the elephants

> involved are already captive, and already are either working,

> hauling tourists, or standing around with nothing to do.

>

> Of all the different kinds of work they might be required to

> perform, playing elephant polo is among the least onerous. It might

> even be fun. Probably some elephants enjoy it more than others, but

> certainly there are no signs, as yet, that captive elephants find

> it less enjoyable than anything else they do.

>

> There is no chance whatever that any of these elephants can

> be returned to the wild, which for many of them no longer exists,

> and small chance that many could be sent to sanctuaries, which also

> don't exist anywhere near most of the elephant polo venues.

>

> Conversely, there is also no history and no likelihood of

> elephants being captured to play elephant polo. There are already a

> surplus of elephants in captivity, in the nations hosting elephant

> polo, and elephant polo has no potential whatever for becoming a

> successful spectator sport, televised sport, or gambling sport.

>

> As a slightly modified football cheer goes, " There's an

> elephant over here, and an elephant over there, and the game they

> are playing ain't going nowhere. "

>

> So worrying about it is a complete waste of time. Worry

> about the many activities that are really harming elephants, often

> in huge numbers.

>

> > " If for some reason you can't imagine any elephants games, then just

> imagine

> >how difficult it is for them to comprehend the strange games that humans

> >play " .

>

> I imagine elephants can understand elephant polo at least as

> well as most Americans can understand cricket, or most Indians can

> understand baseball.

>

> --

> Merritt Clifton

> Editor, ANIMAL PEOPLE

> P.O. Box 960

> Clinton, WA 98236

>

> Telephone: 360-579-2505

> Fax: 360-579-2575

> E-mail: anmlpepl <anmlpepl%40whidbey.com>

> Web: www.animalpeoplenews.org

>

> [ANIMAL PEOPLE is the leading independent newspaper providing

> original investigative coverage of animal protection worldwide,

> founded in 1992. Our readership of 30,000-plus includes the

> decision-makers at more than 10,000 animal protection organizations.

> We have no alignment or affiliation with any other entity. $24/year;

> for free sample, send address.]

[Guest guest]

>opinions of elephant experts worldwide on 'Elephant Polo'.

 

 

Mark Shand may be a @#$%, but he certainly qualifies as an

elephant expert--and promotes elephant polo.

 

Christine Townend has credentials as an animal advocate

second to none, has worked to improve the lives of the working

elephants of Jaipur for many years, and also favors elephant polo,

especially played without the ankus.

 

In general, the elephant experts trotted out by the

opponents of elephant polo have been people who work with wild

elephants, and have relatively little background with working

elephants.

 

Most also have never seen an elephant polo match--as indeed

very few people anywhere ever have, because so few matches are

played, in front of so few spectators, with little or no television

exposure.

 

I haven't seen an elephant polo match. Neither have the

overwhelming majority of elephant polo critics.

 

But I have seen the working elephants of Jaipur, on the job,

which most of the elephant polo critics have not, & I guarantee you

that if I was an elephant, given the choice of hauling tourists up

the mountain, or standing on hot cement waiting for tourists, or

milling around on grass with my pals playing elephant polo. I'd pick

playing elephant polo in a heartbeat.

 

 

 

--

Merritt Clifton

Editor, ANIMAL PEOPLE

P.O. Box 960

Clinton, WA 98236

 

Telephone: 360-579-2505

Fax: 360-579-2575

E-mail: anmlpepl

Web: www.animalpeoplenews.org

 

[ANIMAL PEOPLE is the leading independent newspaper providing

original investigative coverage of animal protection worldwide,

founded in 1992. Our readership of 30,000-plus includes the

decision-makers at more than 10,000 animal protection organizations.

We have no alignment or affiliation with any other entity. $24/year;

for free sample, send address.]

[Guest guest]

Valid criticism does you a favour by encouraging you to rethink your stance

and reevaluate your position. Criticism can also mean that one is on the

right track. In this case, there is not a shred of doubt in my mind that the

elephant polo opponents are on the right track as evident in the Elephant

Family response to criticism of elephant polo last month when they

grudgingly admitted that there is a difference of opinion between animal

rights and animal welfare advocates on this issue. That is however an

inadequate admission since elephant polo has been opposed by animal welfare

and conservation advocates as well. There is absolutely no comparison in

terms of expert opinion on the merits or demerits of elephant polo; the

national media knows it and the international media is aware of it. However,

in the spirit of free and open discussion, I invited Shand last month to

have a public debate on this at any chosen venue where he would speak in

favour of elephant polo and the opponents would listen. Not surprisingly,

there was no response, but maybe, for a change, he will muster enough

honesty and integrity to face the challenge. There is no hesitation in my

mind to say that elephant polo is encouraged with the same kind of mentality

that supports animal circuses, street menageries, hunting, roadside bear

performances and angling. As a rationalist, I would be quite prepared to

consider a logical argument from the opposition but I simply have not come

across any regarding this issue. Maybe I will, but I am not holding my

breath. And until then, my opposition to elephant polo remains

comprehensive and total.

 

On 10 Apr 2007 06:43:12 -0700, Merritt Clifton <anmlpepl wrote:

>

> >opinions of elephant experts worldwide on 'Elephant Polo'.

>

> Mark Shand may be a @#$%, but he certainly qualifies as an

> elephant expert--and promotes elephant polo.

>

> Christine Townend has credentials as an animal advocate

> second to none, has worked to improve the lives of the working

> elephants of Jaipur for many years, and also favors elephant polo,

> especially played without the ankus.

>

> In general, the elephant experts trotted out by the

> opponents of elephant polo have been people who work with wild

> elephants, and have relatively little background with working

> elephants.

>

> Most also have never seen an elephant polo match--as indeed

> very few people anywhere ever have, because so few matches are

> played, in front of so few spectators, with little or no television

> exposure.

>

> I haven't seen an elephant polo match. Neither have the

> overwhelming majority of elephant polo critics.

>

> But I have seen the working elephants of Jaipur, on the job,

> which most of the elephant polo critics have not, & I guarantee you

> that if I was an elephant, given the choice of hauling tourists up

> the mountain, or standing on hot cement waiting for tourists, or

> milling around on grass with my pals playing elephant polo. I'd pick

> playing elephant polo in a heartbeat.

>

> --

> Merritt Clifton

> Editor, ANIMAL PEOPLE

> P.O. Box 960

> Clinton, WA 98236

>

> Telephone: 360-579-2505

> Fax: 360-579-2575

> E-mail: anmlpepl <anmlpepl%40whidbey.com>

> Web: www.animalpeoplenews.org

>

> [ANIMAL PEOPLE is the leading independent newspaper providing

> original investigative coverage of animal protection worldwide,

> founded in 1992. Our readership of 30,000-plus includes the

> decision-makers at more than 10,000 animal protection organizations.

> We have no alignment or affiliation with any other entity. $24/year;

> for free sample, send address.]

>

>

>