King's Cup Elephant Polo Explained
King's Cup Elephant Polo is an elephant polo event played three times a year in Thailand,[1] Sri Lanka, and Nepal.
In each match, two teams compete. Each team consists of five humans and five elephants. There is no monetary prize. Sponsors have included Johnnie Walker, PwC, Peroni, and IBM. PETA claims that at least eight other corporate sponsors have ended their support of the event due to its allegedly inhumane nature.[2] [3]
People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals (PETA) has targeted elephant polo as cruel and barbaric. Allegations of animal cruelty surfaced in Thailand during the 2018 King's Cup Polo.[4]
The Thailand Elephant Polo Association announced in October 2018 that it would end polo matches in Thailand.
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Notes and References
- News: Sherwell . Philip . Battle over elephant polo on eve of popular Bangkok tournament . 4 October 2018 . The Telegraph . 2016-03-09.
- News: Eight companies end sponsorship of elephant polo tournament after seeing abuse video. 4 October 2018 . PETA-Asia . 2018-03-21 . Press release.
- News: Dundup Sherpa Subirana . Lobsang . Elephant Polo Organizers Vow Changes as Sponsors Pull Out . 4 October 2018 . Khaosod English . 2018-03-29.
- News: Baker . Jason . On World Animal Day, it's time to end elephant polo . 4 October 2018 . The Nation . 4 October 2018 . Opinion . 3 October 2018 . https://web.archive.org/web/20181003223757/http://www.nationmultimedia.com/detail/opinion/30355759 . dead .
