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Major multinational companies Johnnie Walker,
PricewaterhouseCoopers, and the Campari Group have withdrawn support of
Thailand’s cruel King’s Cup Elephant Polo Tournament.
Exposed
The shift was prompted by footage released by animal rights
organization PETA Asia early this month, which depicted violence toward the
animals.
According to PETA: “They’re chained and beaten with
bullhooks or other weapons and constantly threatened with violence to keep them
afraid and submissive.”
The event is framed by organizers as an elephant charity but
PETA investigators continued to uncover abuse even after the original footage
was released.
‘Positive example’
PETA Director Elisa Allen praised the companies for the move
which the organization described as a ‘victory’.
She said: “By withdrawing their sponsorship, these companies
have proudly set a positive example for those that still support such abusive spectacles
to follow.”
Condemned
The Campari Group’s statement to PETA said: “The Group condemns
any form of violence and mistreatment towards animals and for this reason has
decided to immediately suspend its sponsorship of the event.”
PETA openly opposes the use of animals for entertainment on the
grounds of mistreatment.
Allen said: “Elephants belong in the wild, not on polo
fields, where they’re forced to obey confusing commands under the constant
threat of punishment.”
