‘Cancel the Elephant Games!’ John Abraham’s Plea Lands on Kathmandu and Chitwan Billboards

Kathmandu – Ahead of the 2025 Chitwan Elephant Festival, actor and producer John Abraham is starring in a new PETA appeal in Chitwan and Kathmandu calling for the authorities and festival organisers to permanently cancel the cruel festival “games” in which elephants are whipped and beaten to force them to perform.

“These intelligent, sensitive animals endure immense physical and emotional strain during these games. Behind the scenes, they are often subjected to harsh training methods and gruelling conditions that no living being should have to bear,” says Abraham. “Nepal has the opportunity to lead the way in showing the world how to respect and protect these magnificent animals.”

Just weeks ago, PETA released never-before-seen footage of last year’s festival which was promoted by organisers as “elephant friendly”, where mahouts are seen beating and jabbing wounded and scarred elephants on their heads, faces, and ears – even with veterinarians standing close by. 

PETA’s previously released footage and widespread public outcry paused the abusive elephant “games” for four years, but some of the games returned in 2024 with the same suffering and abuse – despite the festival’s misleading claims that it was updated to be “elephant friendly.”

Elephants are highly social animals who thrive in the company of their extended families. Births are joyous celebrations, and the deaths of loved ones are mourned. In nature, elephants live in matriarchal herds, protect one another, and share mothering responsibilities for the herds’ babies. 

But elephants in captivity are deprived of everything natural and important to them and often exhibit obsessive, repetitive behaviour indicative of severe psychological distress.