Launched on August 12, 2012, World Elephant Day is an international annual event dedicated to the preservation and protection of the world's elephants. The initiative brings together conservation organisations and citizens from all backgrounds to support stronger protection measures and combat illegal poaching, habitat loss and the mistreatment of elephants in captivity.
On the occasion of World Elephant Day, World Animal Protection wrote to the Chief Minister of Rajasthan, seeking a phased but permanent cessation of elephant rides at Amer Fort. The campaign highlights what it describes as severe physical and psychological trauma inflicted on endangered elephants and proposes a swift transition towards a sustainable, cruelty-free model of Indian heritage tourism that showcases Rajasthan's historical and cultural heritage without elephant rides in Jaipur that abuse people and endanger human safety.
More than seventy-five individuals also expressed their opposition to elephant rides in Amer Fort and raised their voice for keeping elephants free in the wild.
Citizens raising awareness on wild elephants and captive Amer Fort elephants in Jaipur at Patrika Gate. Photograph: Shubhobroto Ghosh
Amer Fort remains one of India's most iconic tourist destinations. However, its global reputation faces significant risks from the use of captive elephants for daily tourist entertainment. Decades of scientific research, veterinary assessments and investigative wildlife reports reveal that the elephants suffer from chronic foot infections, painful arthritis and severe psychological distress. These conditions stem directly from walking on hard concrete surfaces under scorching heat while carrying heavy iron howdahs and multiple tourists.
The welfare issues associated with Amer Fort elephant rides are systemic and deep-rooted. Captive elephants are wild animals by nature and undergo a brutal training process known as 'the crush' to break their spirit and make them submissive to human commands. At Amer Fort, many elephants are forced to work despite advanced age and serious medical ailments. Investigative audits have consistently found that a vast majority of these elephants suffer from compromised vision, permanent limb deformities and severe nutritional deficiencies caused by poor diets.
The practice also raises public safety concerns. Elephants are highly intelligent, social and emotional animals. When subjected to prolonged stress, isolation and physical abuse, they can experience sudden bouts of psychosis that can result in them running amok. Over the years, multiple incidents at Amer Fort have seen stressed elephants turn aggressive, endangering international tourists, handlers and local people.
In an era when global travellers actively seek responsible tourism experiences, World Animal Protection says the continuation of animal exploitation severely damages Jaipur's tourism brand. An elephant named Chanchal was painted pink by Russian artist Julia Buruleva for a photoshoot in 2025, and the elephant died earlier this year.
World Animal Protection is seeking more than an end to the rides and has presented a proposed alternative. Under its phase-out plan, tourists would be able to observe elephants in a natural sanctuary setting. The model promotes educational tourism, allowing visitors to watch elephants walk, bathe, forage and socialise safely from a respectful distance.
The proposed transition would also protect local livelihoods. Under the plan, current elephant handlers, known as mahouts, would receive specialised training to transition into sanctuary guides, educational instructors and caretakers. Financial models demonstrate that global tourists are willing to pay a premium for ethical wildlife encounters. The shift would secure stable, long-term revenue for local communities while elevating Jaipur as a global pioneer in sustainable heritage tourism.
“As the international community celebrates World Elephant Day 2026, the eyes of the world are on Rajasthan. Progressive travel agencies worldwide are removing elephant rides from their itineraries. Global travel platforms are refusing to promote venues that exploit captive wildlife. Thirty companies have undertaken the wildlife friendly pledge of World Animal Protection in India to not offer elephant rides in their itineraries. World Animal Protection urges the Chief Minister of Rajasthan to act decisively and end elephant rides in Amer Fort and retire the elephants. Ending the Amer Fort elephant rides will honour India’s wildlife protection laws and secure a humane future for these gentle giants which are India’s National Heritage Animal,” says Gajender Kumar Sharma, Country Director, World Animal Protection in India.
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