Elephant polo is a unique and majestic variation of traditional polo, played while mounted on elephants instead of horses. The game traces its modern roots to Nepal, though its historic origins can be found in India, where it was reportedly played in the early 20th century by members of the Maharaja’s harem (Zenana) to keep them entertained.The World Elephant Polo Association (WEPA) was established in 1982 by James Manclark, a Scottish landowner and former Olympic toboggan racer, and Jim Edwards, the owner of the Tiger Tops Jungle Lodge and Chairman of the Tiger Mountain Group. The idea was born during a conversation in a bar in St. Moritz, Switzerland, where the duo were members of the Cresta Club. The first official matches were played on a grass airfield in Meghauli, on the edge of Chitwan National Park in southwest Nepal, which remains the headquarters of the sport and the site of the World Elephant Polo Championships.Gameplay Matches are played on a smaller pitch—three-quarters the size of a standard polo field—due to the elephants’ slower speed. Each elephant carries two riders: the mahout (elephant driver), who steers the elephant, and the player, who instructs the mahout and strikes the ball. Players use canes made of bamboo, measuring between 1.8 to 3 metres (74 to 100 inches), with a standard polo mallet head attached. The ball itself is a standard polo ball.Where it is playedElephant polo is particularly popular in Nepal and Thailand, where matches are played under the rules of WEPA. England and Scotland regularly field teams. Independent tournaments have also taken place in India and Sri Lanka. The latter held an annual event in Galle under the Ceylon Elephant Polo Association until 2007, when the tournament was discontinued after an incident involving a runaway elephant damaging cars.Despite its charm and heritage, elephant polo has drawn criticism. Allegations of cruelty and mistreatment, most notably from People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals (PETA), have led to match cancellations, sponsorship withdrawals, and even the removal of elephant polo achievements from the Guinness Book of World Records. In response, WEPA enforces strict regulations concerning both gameplay and elephant welfare.A noble legacyElephant polo, while captivating and culturally rich, finds itself at a crossroads. Its grandeur and spectacle must now contend with modern ethical standards. Whether it continues as a sporting tradition or becomes a relic of history depends on its ability to evolve with compassion at its core.
