Message from Dame Daphne Sheldrick On Indian Elephant Polo Match

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Oct 10, 2006 7:13 PM

Indian Elephant Polo Match

journalistandanimals

 

 

 

<http://www.sheldrickwildlifetrust.org/>

 

 

 

A year or two ago i was invited to India as perhaps the world's authority on

elephants having hand reared from newborn over 75 orphaned elephant babies

and successfully returned them when grown to the wild herds of Tsavo East

National park in Kenya. My work with elephants spans 50 years and has been

recognized by the Queen with, initially an MBE, and more recently a DBE, in

addition to which I hold an Hon. degree in Veterinary Medicine and Surgery

from Glasgow University and have been awarded the Moran of the of the

Burning Spear by Kenya and am a 1992 UNEP Global 500 Laureate. I know

elephants sufficiently well to be able to categorically say that forcing

them to entertain the public in an Elephant Polo Tournament, in temperatures

of over 40 degrees is not only insensitive but cruel, especially as they

will be prodded by sharp ankuses etc, etc. I am shocked that a close

relative of the Duchess of Cornwall is planning to partake and by doing so

supports such antics. Elephants are intolerant to heat and would naturally

be resting under shade when temperatures soar. I think the adverse

publicity that will result from India embarking on this exercise will far

out-weigh any benefits and simply reflect badly on India's Animal Welfare

record and also the reputation of highly connected people. I would appeal

to the authorities to withdraw from this polo spectacle and play polo

instead on horseback, (without the use of ankuses and prods).

 

Dame Daphne Sheldrick DBE, MBE, MBS, DVMS, 1992 Global 500 Laureate.