An elephant polo tournament due to take place in India on Sunday was canceled after sponsor Carlsberg beer withdrew because of complaints from animal rights activists.
Elephant polo world championships are held each year in Nepal.
But the event in Jaipur, the capital of Rajasthan state, was scrapped after a campaign by PETA (People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals), which said captive elephants are often cruelly trained using spikes and pokers.
“We have decided to stop our association with this event,” Rishi Wadhera of Carlsberg India told the Sunday Standard newspaper.
“While we comprehend that these specific elephants were in no way being violated, we respect the concern being raised and hence have decided to do the right thing.”
PETA welcomed an announcement that the tournament would not take place.
