John Abraham urges Nepal govt to cancel Chitwan festival’s abusive elephant games

PUDUCHERRY: Actor and film producer John Abraham has sent a letter to Nepal’s minister of culture, tourism and civil aviation Badri Prasad Pandey urging him to end the abuse of animals at the Chitwan elephant festival. During the festival, elephants are beaten into submission and forced to race, give rides and ‘play’ polo and football, he said.
People for Ethical Treatment of Animals (PETA) Asia has exposed handlers at the late-December festival repeatedly hitting and jabbing elephants with bull hooks (weapons that resemble a fireplace poker with a sharp hook on one end), sticks, and makeshift wooden knives.
One elephant was beaten for nearly a minute, and many suffered from deep, bloody wounds around their heads and ears. When not being forced to perform during the festival, the elephants are used for rides by tourists visiting Chitwan.
“These intelligent, sensitive animals endure immense physical and emotional strain during these games,” Abraham wrote.
“As someone who has witnessed the beauty of elephants in their natural habitat, I can tell you that they symbolise strength, grace and wisdom. They are a national treasure in so many ways, and Nepal has the opportunity to lead the way in showing the world how to respect and protect these magnificent animals.”
Elephants are highly social animals that thrive in the company of their extended families. Births are joyous celebrations, and the deaths of loved ones are mourned. But elephants in captivity are deprived of everything natural and important to them and often exhibit obsessive, repetitive behaviours indicative of severe psychological distress.
Abraham concludes his letter with a request to Pandey to cancel the elephant games and steer Nepal “towards a future where traditions can evolve to reflect our shared values of kindness and respect for all living, feeling beings.”
“Nepal holds a special place in my heart, and I am confident that its bright future will be shaped by decisions that honour its people, wildlife, and unparalleled natural beauty,” Abraham writes.