PETA reacts to 'Elephant Polo' in Jaipur

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Please find below PETA- India`s letter of protest on 'elephant polo'

 

Azam Siddiqui

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October 12, 2006

 

Smt. Vasundhara Raje

Chief Minister of Rajasthan

 

Respected Madam,

 

We have read that a polo match with elephants is being organized in

Jaipur on 18 November 06 and we are writing to you from People for

the Ethical Treatment of Animals (PETA) India to ask for your help

in stopping this proposed act of immense cruelty.

 

Elephants are highly intelligent and sentient animals. The fact is

that elephants do not naturally ride bicycles, stand on their heads,

balance on balls, jump through rings of fire or play polo. To force

them to perform these confusing and physically uncomfortable tricks,

elephants are typically trained with extremely brutal methods that

inflict pain, domination and fear. Many trainers still use cruel

raining—beating elephants with bullhooks and keeping them chained

for long hours.

 

We would like to draw your attention to the fact that nearly all

captive elephants are captured from the wild. Taken from their

families and homeland, captured elephants suffer a life of chronic

physical ailments, social deprivation, emotional starvation, and

premature death. These magnificent animals, when captured, are

robbed of their most basic needs, including social companionship and

adequate space to exercise.

 

With the number of elephants in the wild dwindling, it is

irresponsible to waste time and man power on training them for

frivolous activities. It is critical that money and efforts be

redirected towards conservation and research into how to put into

effect government programs that ensure the survival of the species,

like establishing and safeguarding corridors, for instance.

 

It is also immensely important that the government focus on

establishing sanctuaries for elephants already in captivity to

ensure that they have a safe and healthy permanent home. It is

indeed disheartening when elephants are instead allowed to be

exploited for activities such as a polo game, when they deserve to

be retired and rehabilitated in sanctuaries.

 

We beseech you to look into this matter and prevent the occurrence

of the match in Jaipur. This is an issue holding tremendous

significance and it is thus necessary for you to take immediate

action. Instead of allowing people to exploit elephants for such

pursuits, we humbly request you to stress on the conservation of

this endangered species.

 

Sincerely,

 

 

Anuradha Sawhney

 

Chief Functionary

PETA- India