Diageo and Campari Group terminates contract with the Elephant Polo Tournament
Diageo and Campari Group have ended their association with the Anantara Riverside Bangkok Resort’s 2018 King’s Cup Elephant Polo Tournament.
Diageo and Campari Group terminates contract with the Elephant Polo Tournament
The decision comes after Peta Asia revealed video footage showing handlers repeatedly beating elephants for the Polo tournament. Therefore, PETA urged the event’s European sponsors – including Peroni, Aperol Spritz, Johnnie Walker, and San Pellegrino – to stop funding the tournament, which touts itself as a charity event for elephants.
Campari Group said in a statement: “The Group condemns any form of violence and mistreatment towards animals and for this reason has decided to immediately suspend its sponsorship of the event.”
Peta welcomed the sponsorship withdrawal from both companies, and said the groups have “set a positive example” for others to follow.
Elisa Allen, Peta director said: “By withdrawing their sponsorship, these companies have proudly set a positive example for those that still support such abusive spectacles to follow.
“Elephants belong in the wild, not on polo fields, where they’re forced to obey confusing demands under the constant threat of punishment.”
Other sponsors which have pulled out are Sunraysia, Grohe, Ecolab, JDE, Angus Energy, Hafele and Vespa.