Elephant racing
Elephant racing, though unusual as a sporting event, is held in many parts of the world but mostly in Asia. The earliest known such racing event as a tradition is reported from Vietnam.[1][2] In the 20th century this became a major event (though it generated protests) in Germany in 1920, and an organized International Elephant Race in Nepal from tourism interests in 1982.[3]
Elephant racing is popular form of animal racing in Afghanistan. A straight and long trunk is an important factor in the race for the elephants to cross the finish line. The races take a longer time than those involving horses but the animals are clearly visible to every spectator.[4]
In Vietnam
The
A major festival is held at
In Germany and India
In the year 2000, at the initiative of Ravindra Gujjula, an Indian born Mayor of Altlandsberg town, near Berlin organized an elephant race at Hoppegarten, which was very successful as more than 40,000 people witnessed the race. 14 circus elephants (equal numbers from Asia and Africa) participated and the race card consisted of six race events. The contention of the sponsors was that the elephants enjoyed the racing event. At the end of the race elephants were fed with fruits and vegetables.[1]
The race turned into a controversial issue, particularly in India, as environmental and religious lobbies objected to this racing. It is a protected species in India, and in Hinduism it represents the elephant headed God Ganesha. Members of the Animal Peace group's protest was supported by leading personalities like Maneka Gandhi, the then Minister for Social Affairs in India, Nina Hagen, the German rock singer, and Brigitte Bardot, the French film actress.[1] In India only two states hold the event.
In Nepal
In Nepal, the race started as an
References
- ^ a b c "Jumbo race 'a big success'". BBC News. Retrieved 18 August 2019.
- ^ a b "A Year of Festivals:March - Buon Don Elephant Races, Vietnam". Journals.worldnomads.com. Retrieved 29 March 2013.
- ^ a b "Nepal's Elephant Races Becoming Annual Tradition". Sports Yahoo.com. Archived from the original on 12 April 2013. Retrieved 29 March 2013.
- ^ Light and Leading Being light leader reprinted from The Times. Taylor & Francis. pp. 84–. GGKEY:HPZCLWE0EE9. Retrieved 1 April 2013.
- ISBN 978-0-470-49778-4. Retrieved 29 March 2013.