Over 240 Asia for Animals Network Members call on The Government of Nepal to stop the ongoing cruelty at the annual Chitwan Elephant Festival

The Chitwan Elephant Festival, hosted by The Regional Hotels Association of Nepal - Chitwan Chapter, is set to proceed again this December despite clear and ongoing cruelty towards elephants. The Asia for Animals Coalition (AfA), a network of hundreds of international animal protection and advocacy organizations, is urgently appealing to the Rt. Hon'ble Prime Minister of Nepal and Minister of Culture, Tourism and Civil Aviation, Sushila Karki, The Regional Hotels Association of Nepal - Chitwan Chapter and the Nepal Tourism Board, to intervene and end the exploitation of elephants at this event. 

While the Hotel Association committed in 2023 to ending cruel activities like elephant races, polo, and football, evidence shows that some of these inhumane practices continued in 2024. Investigations have documented the "shocking abuse" of elephants, who endure physical and psychological torment while forced to perform. In 2024, one elephant was reportedly struck and jabbed by a mahout over 60 times in just five minutes while waiting to be used in an event.

This systemic cruelty not only harms the animals but also severely damages Nepal's international tourism reputation. International sponsors like Pepsi, Buddha Air, and Nepal Investment Mega Bank (NIMB) are permanently withholding financial support to avoid association with animal cruelty. Celebrities, such as John Abraham, are also raising their voices, urging Nepal to “cancel Chitwan Elephant Festival over physical-emotional strain to the animals.”

Other nations have successfully transitioned away from cruel elephant festivals. The Boun Don District in Viet Nam, for example, has moved away from swimming races and football games, choosing instead to promote ethical elephant experiences, celebrating and observing elephants at festivals. Across Viet Nam, the elephant tourism industry is transitioning former riding elephants to more dignified and natural lives, yet still allowing for unique visitor experiences to continue through observations of elephants expressing natural behaviors free in the forest.

The appeal letter, sent by AfA on November 28, 2025 asks that the inhumane activities be immediately and permanently ended, urging Nepal to follow the lead of other Asian nations and promote humane and ethical elephant experiences, offering the advice and support of their Network Member Organizations like PETA Asia and Animals Asia Foundation to discuss the development of alternatives. Cancelling the festival’s cruelest activities is the critical first step towards promoting ethical elephant tourism in partnership with the Sauraha/Chitwan community.

Read our full appeal here.