As Yet Another Elephant Attack at Amer Fort Hospitalises a Human Victim, PETA India Renews Call to End Exploitative Rides
In response to a recently reported incident at Amer Fort in Rajasthan, where two elephants, Dilruba and Chanchal (ride numbers 41 and 83, respectively), were involved in a fight—PETA India has urged the Chief Minister of Rajasthan, Shri Bhajan Lal Sharma, to ban elephant rides at Amer Fort and Hathi Gaon and rehabilitate all elephants to sanctuaries—starting with those involved in violent incidents. During the incident, Chanchal fell, injuring a man who was passing through the area on a motorbike. The man was hospitalised.
Similarly, in May 2024, video footage of an elephant pushing another elephant while carrying tourists at Amer Fort, was released by PETA India. In February 2024, elephant Gouri wrapped a tourist in her trunk and swung her to the ground breaking her leg. Before that, in October 2022, the same elephant attacked a local shopkeeper just outside the Amer Fort hospitalising him. In 2019, a brawl occurred between two elephants (numbers 44 and 74) while they were both carrying tourists.
Many of the elephants at the Amer Fort, including Dilruba and Gouri are illegally kept in Rajasthan with the private owners are only granted ‘interim custody’ per the FIRs filed by the Rajasthan Forest Department in 2016 for violation of the Wildlife Protection Act, 1972. In fact, data procured via the Right to Information Act show that in 2023, 38 out of 79 elephants used for rides at Amer Fort – almost 50% – did not have valid ownership certificates making Rajasthan a hub for illegal wildlife trafficking.
This tragic incident is yet another reminder of the immense stress and suffering endured by elephants forced to give rides. These intelligent, social animals are sending a clear message while threatening public safety. PETA India urges the Hon’ble Chief Minister of Rajasthan to take immediate steps to replace elephant rides with eco-friendly motorised vehicles, as was recommended in a report of the committee constituted by the Project Elephant division of the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change, per an order of the Supreme Court of India.
Numerous inspections of elephants used for rides at Amer Fort have documented rampant cruelty in violation of animal-protection laws. Inspectors found partially blind elephants being forced to give rides to tourists, the use of weapons and chains with sharp spikes, mutilated ears and tusks, prolonged chaining, and severe confinement when not in use. In addition, elephants are common carriers of tuberculosis, which can infect humans. PETA India has previously highlighted that elephants who have tested reactive for tuberculosis have still been used for rides.
Many tourists visiting India for its wildlife are disgusted that elephants are still exploited for rides. As awareness of the cruelty grows, numerous travel companies are choosing to cut ties with such practices. Over 100 agencies, including major global operators such as AdventureLink, Costco Travel, Intrepid Travel, Thomas Cook, TUI Group, and even TripAdvisor, one of the world’s largest travel websites, have pledged not to include elephant rides in their itineraries.
