OPEN QUESTIONS FOR MS TOWNSEND

[Guest guest]

Hi Shubhroto,

 

I am quite surprized that HIS is part of this foolishness called Elephant

Polo, HIS is well known for its selfless service to the animals. I also read

the email by their trustee. I think inspite of all their justifications the

following issues need to be answered.

 

1. It is claimed that the elephants will play only for 10 minutes, is this

practical?

2. Polo is a game of speed, quite like hockey and football, men and horses

are swift, are we expecting elephants to match their speed and agility?

3. To make an elephant take the role of David Bekham, do you think word

overflowing with love and some fruits would be enough? Won't there be hidden

if not open cruelties comprable to circuses involved in the whole

process? *This

is like making another budhia run a marathon to highlight the perils of

child labour. Once cruelty to highlight another cruelty.? Does it make

sense?*

4. Are we not washing down all the efforts done by Animal Rights

organizations, over the years in ending all such 'tourist attractions' that

torture animals. We stopped the program in Assam. Bear Dances in 5 star

hotels and snake charmers on streets. This will create a new precedent and

cause many more such events all over India. We won't even be able to

counter it (Even Animal Rights organizations do it, its harmless - an

argument that will be too difficult to counter)

5. What about the cruelties inflicted on elephants when they were captured

and trained, are we not creating a market for more to be caught from the

wild and 'trained'. HIS may give a attention to animal welfare, when the

idea is replicated elsewhere, do you expect mahouts to have all the love and

patience to train the animals.

 

If we really want to promote elephants I am sure there should be fantastic

documentaties highlighting the intelligence of Elephant and many videos

about cruelties to these mangificient creatures when they are captured and

train, that will get people go back with a better message that this stupid

game. If this is not enough to attract sponsors, we animal rights

organizations are much better off without the sponsors and foreign

delegation visits. The absence of them doesn't start a wrong precdent at

least.

 

While we in Pune and Mumbai are trying hard to get Elephants off the street

after the terrible road accident in Chembur. Such events will only create

hurdles for us.

 

And all about compassion trainig... PLEASE I want to see how Elephants can

be taught polo with words full of compassion..

 

 

Manoj Oswal

 

 

 

Regards

 

Manoj Oswal

 

 

On 10/12/06, Dr John Wedderburn <john wrote:

>

> Usually, as Moderator, I stand back and let others do the arguing. But I

>

> need to join in the fray on this issue.

> I fully understand the good intentions of those who have been working to

> introduce ankus-free polo matches. But the exploitation of these

> magnificent beasts is unacceptable whether or not an ankus is used on

> the field.

> The use of these wonderful animals for human entertainment is absolutely

> wrong in principle.

> Ms Townend says, " the 15-20 private companies which hold polo matches

> in Jaipur every season ........... cannot be prevented at present from

> holding these matches. " I am sure Ms Townend would agree that if they

> could be prevented altogether that would be preferable to making them

> ankus-free.

> I believe they can be prevented if everyone unites.

> Let's unite!

> John Wedderburn, Asian Animal Protection Network.

>

>

>