“Thus, at a time when temple festivals cannot do without elephants, the Kanichukulangara Temple in Alappuzha district has become the first in the State to discontinue the use of elephants.” – Express Buzz

“Elephant polo is a three a side apparently and each animal has a mahout (or driver) and a Campbell, or whomever, wielding a very long bamboo polo mallet. It’s a penalty offence for your elephant to lie down in front of the goal. Other hazards include elephants treading on the ball, which obviously takes some time to extract from the pitch.” – Blatherskite

New York Blue, America’s elephant polo team, is heading to Nepal to compete in the World Elephant Polo Tournament. Since elephants aren’t available in New York, they have been practicing on top of SUV’s. I think the players will be in for a rude awakening when the climb onto one of the elephants.

What do you think of this “sport”? Do you think the elephants enjoy it? I tend to think it makes a spectacle of them much like the circus does.

“Elephant polo, played in Nepal, Sri Lanka and Thailand by a wealthy few to the rules of horse polo but on a smaller field, is uniquely challenging. So is clinging to the roof of an SUV in a gale with practice mallets fashioned from paint roller handles and plumbing parts. “

(via)The Times of India

photo credit: the_millers

This article includes a video about the Scottish Elephant Polo Team who are hoping to win the world cup.

“A team from Scotland hopes to reclaim glory in the Elephant Polo World Cup.”

– BBC NEWS

“People turned out in droves to Auckland Zoo on Sunday as Kashin the elephant celebrated her 40th birthday.” – tvnz.co.nz

“Nearly 100 caparisoned elephants, dancers and torchbearers walked down the streets of this central city decorated with colourful lights and flags as the annual Buddhist festival of Kandy Perahera (pageant) was celebrated with great enthusiasm. The colourful parade began Saturday night from the sacred Buddhist shrine of Dalada Maligawa, showcasing the temple custodians known as Nilames, who were dressed up like ancient kings. The festivities also included traditional Kandyan dancers, fire-juggling acrobats, palanquins, musicians and torchbearers, who followed the elephants through the streets.” – Thaindian News/a>

“The Rosamond Gifford Zoo put their Asian Elephants in the spotlight Saturday. The four elephants were at the focal point of a showcase of Asian culture.” – News 10 Now

“Saturday kicked off the Asian Elephant Extravaganza at the Rosamond Gifford Zoo. The event honors Asian culture, while showing off the herd of Asian elephants that are at the zoo.” – NewsChannel 9 WSYR

“As the countdown for Gajapayana, scheduled to be held on August 18, has began, the tribal people living in the Nagarahole forest and mahouts and kavadis (helpers) of caparisoned elephants have threatened to boycott the Dasara festivities if the State Government fails to concede their long-pending demands.” – The Hindu

“Ayers, a Tennessee senior defensive end, has seen most of the linemen in the SEC. Next to Edie and Jana, a 350-pounder in shoulder pads looks like a jockey.” – : GoVolsXtra.com

“After the grueling festival season, its time for complete rest, feasts and rejuvenation for captive elephants in Kerala.” – Khaleej Times Online

“Blackpool Zoo’s big attractions Kate and Crumple were given a good hose down and brush up for their 39th birthday celebrations.” – Sri Lanka News

“Thousands of devotees belonging to different walks of life, including some foreign tourists, took part in the traditional Mahaganapathi homam and anayuttu (elephant feeding) at the Sree Vadakkunnathan Temple here on Wednesday. By offering `the first ball of feed to the baby elephant Kuttimukku Kannan, temple melsanti Kottampilly Narayanan Namboodiri inaugurated the anayuttu. Nearly 50 elephants from different parts of the district took part in the traditional feast for the elephants.” – Newindpress.com

“Flailing two-metre-long bamboo mallets, piles of steaming dung and crazed colonials are all part of this young Englishman’s job, not to mention wrinkled three-tonne arses swinging arbitrarily or the indiscriminate stomping of dinner plate-sized feet.” – The Daily Telegraph

“On Friday New Hampshire Motor Speedway officials announced that the elephant show wouldn’t be part of the pre-race show on Sunday. A release from the track said proper permits weren’t secured in time to allow the show to happen.” – courant.com

“Someone is celebrating a very special 13th birthday, Kirina the elephant at the Rosamond Gifford Zoo!” – NewsChannel 9

“For perhaps the first time in city history, an enormous animal with floppy ears and huge trunk will stop by for a visit Sunday.” – TheChampionOnline.com

“The pachyderm Edie was challenged to tug-of-war by eight determined if unrealistic humans.” – Knoxville News Sentinel