ELEPHANT POLO EVENT DRAWS FLAK : PRESS TRUST OF INDIA REPORT

November 16, 2006

*Elephant Polo competition draws criticism*

Jaipur, Nov 14: An Elephant Polo competition to be held on Saturday during

the Rambagh Polo Cup has drawn criticism with protestors also launching a

website cautioning Indian authorities that its image as an animal rights

sensitive country could be tarnished.

also objected to event and written a letter to Chief Minister

Vasundhara

Raje seeking intervention in stopping the act of " immense cruelty " .

But the organisers today said they would go ahead with the tournament and

claimed that elephants would not be exploited as feared by protesters on the

Organiser Timmie Kumar of the 'Help in Suffering(his)', a Jaipur-based NGO,

said people are making a hue and cry because they are jealous of the fact

that we are associated with hi-profile people for organising the event.

" All what we can assure at this point of time is that we would ensure that

no elephant got harassed or mishandled during the event, " Kumar said at a

press conference here.

Mark Shand, a well-known animal activist and kin of Camilla Parker, allayed

apprehensions about whips being used to control elephants.

" I can assure everyone that no ankush (whip) would be used in this

tournament. We have also directed that they (Help in Suffering (his) should

not let the mahouts of Jaipur to use ankush on elephants, " he said.

--- PTI

Recommended Posts