Mar 5, 2007, 16:15 GMT
Jaipur, March 5 (IANS) Animal activists have criticised the Elephant Festival organised here by the state government, saying it was cruel to the animals.
Tug of war, elephant beauty contest and elephant polo were the major attractions of the weekend festival.
'Despite the worldwide objections on elephant polo tourism department organised this event, which is shameful', Naresh Kadyan, chairman, People for Animal, Haryana said in a statement. He alleged that that the poor elephants were forced to do things against their capacity.
Elephant polo is criticised worldwide by all major animal welfare groups, including Peta India, an animal rights group. Animal activists points out that elephants are highly intelligent and sentient animals.
'To force them to perform physically uncomfortable tricks or obey confusing commands, trainers use extremely cruel methods that inflict pain and instil fear. Many trainers beat elephants with bull hooks and keep them chained for long periods of time', Peta India said in a statement.
'Nearly all captive Indian elephants have been captured from the wild. Taken from their natural homes and families, captive elephants suffer from chronic physical ailments, social and emotional deprivation and premature death', Peta said.
© 2007 Indo-Asian News Service
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