In December 2018, the elephants encouraged me to write about the 15th Elephant Festival in Sauraha, Nepal, a village bordering Chitwan National Park, which you can read here.
Six years later the elephants are still forced to participate in this festival.
Recently actor, film producer, and animal advocate, John Abraham compassionately urged the Nepal Government to cancel the Elephant Festival over ‘physical-emotional strain’ to the elephants.
The local community sets up stalls around the perimeter of the festival selling alcohol, cars, cleaning supplies, crafts, food, honey, internet, jewelry, and toys to earn much needed rupees.
The elephants shared they would love a different type of festival. An elephant festival where they do not have to participate in the physical. Their suggestion is for humans to hold relay races and human games highlighting the indigenous communities culture.
There are humans who may not understand why the elephants would not want to participate in the festivals elephant picnic. Elephants are decorated with body chalk, lined up on the festival grounds and forced to eat foods brought in for them. The elephants simply state that they would rather do other things.
Makuna, a wild elephant decided to attend the last day of the festival. Frightened festival attenders were seen running away. Perhaps if humans like John Abrahams cannot convince the Nepal Government to change the festival maybe the wild elephants will.
@AchutPuri – YouTube Channel, Makuna Images