Supreme Court directive puts Chitwan Elephant Festival’s games under scrutiny

The Chitwan Elephant Festival is facing growing pressure to end its elephant games following a Supreme Court directive recognising elephants as sentient beings, with animal rights organisation PETA calling on organisers and remaining sponsors to withdraw support from the event. The call comes after several sponsors, including Machhapuchchhre Bank and Kathmandu-based tour company Himalayan Social Journey, withdrew their support following the release of video footage by PETA showing handlers beating elephants during football games at the festival.

PETA has urged the remaining sponsors, including eBooking Nepal, Barahsinghe Beer and Techminds Network, to cut ties with the event, arguing that the court’s directive should end the use of elephants for entertainment and tourism activities. The organisation has also called on the Nepal Tourism Board and the Department of National Parks and Wildlife Conservation to ensure that elephants are no longer used in the festival.