Bhagyashree Calls for End to Elephant Rides at Amer Fort
Bollywood actor Bhagyashree, best known for her role in the 1989 film 'Maine Pyar Kiya', has publicly supported World Animal Protection's campaign to end elephant rides at Amer Fort in Jaipur, Rajasthan. The actor, also a philanthropist and wellness advocate, highlighted the suffering of nearly eighty elephants forced to carry tourists under harsh conditions.
Bhagyashree recalled her childhood introduction to compassion for animals and her observations of wild elephants and lions in Maasai Mara, Kenya, and leopards in Jawai, Rajasthan. She contrasted the freedom of wild animals with the captivity of elephants used for entertainment at Amer Fort, a UNESCO World Heritage site.
Hidden Suffering Behind Decorated Elephants
“I learned about the lives of the elephants behind these rides. Hidden behind the bright decorations and tourist photographs are nearly eighty elephants living a life of pain and captivity. These gentle animals are taken away from the forests where they truly belong and are forced to spend their days carrying tourists under the hot sun. Many remain chained for long hours, deprived of proper food, medical care, rest and the freedom to move naturally. When they are not giving rides at Amer Fort, they are often made to continue working in Haathi Gaon, where their suffering silently continues,” Bhagyashree stated.
She emphasised that elephants are highly intelligent and emotional wild animals that form deep family bonds, care for their young, and feel joy, fear, grief, and loneliness. In the wild, they walk long distances daily, swim across rivers, and live in close social groups. “Seeing them reduced to a life of chains and commands for human amusement is heartbreaking,” she added.
Cruel Training Process Exposed
Bhagyashree expressed distress over the training methods used on elephants. “What disturbed me even more was learning how many elephants are trained. Baby calves are often separated from their mothers and forced to undergo a cruel process called 'the crush' to break their spirit and make them obedient enough for rides and performances. It is difficult to imagine the fear and trauma these young animals go through simply to entertain people for a few minutes,” she said.
She noted that most tourists, whether from India or abroad, are unaware of this suffering. They only see a decorated elephant and a memorable ride without realising the pain behind it.
Call for Rehabilitation and Compassionate Heritage
“India has recognised elephants as our National Heritage Animal, yet these magnificent beings continue to suffer in captivity for tourism. I believe we can celebrate Rajasthan's culture and history without causing cruelty to animals. True heritage should reflect compassion, dignity and respect for life. I have seen elephants in the wild and can state that these majestic animals belong in the wild, and not in captivity. I stand with World Animal Protection in calling for an end to elephant rides in Jaipur and for the rehabilitation of these elephants into proper sanctuaries where they can finally live with care, peace and some freedom for the rest of their lives. Wildlife belongs in the wild, not in chains for entertainment,” Bhagyashree emphasised.
World Animal Protection's Efforts and Government Standards
World Animal Protection thanked Bhagyashree for her compassion. The organisation, as part of the Asia For Animals coalition of 241 organisations, has written to the Chief Wildlife Warden of Rajasthan requesting an end to elephant rides following the unfortunate death of an elephant named Chanchal, who was painted for a photoshoot by Russian artist Julia Buruleva. World Animal Protection also welcomed the Ministry of Tourism's announcement of animal welfare standards in tourist places, hoping stringent standards will lead to the cessation of elephant rides at Amer Fort.
Gajender Kumar Sharma, Country Director of World Animal Protection in India, said, “We are very pleased to have a compassionate and conscientious celebrity like Bhagyashree join our ranks to end elephant rides and combat animal cruelty. We hope her plea to end elephant rides will encourage more people to stop riding elephants and ultimately bring this spectacle to an end with the help of the government of Rajasthan.”
