The People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals (PETA) has raised concerns over the safety risks associated with the annual Chitwan Elephant Festival, calling for immediate action from the Ministry of Home Affairs to prevent potential tragedies.

In a letter to Home Minister Ramesh Lekhak, PETA noted the dangers posed by the presence of both captive and wild elephants at or near the festival. The organisation warned that it is only a matter of time before a serious incident occurs, jeopardising the safety of attendees and the well-being of the animals involved.

“The presence of both captive and wild elephants at or near this event means it is not just a matter of if an incident will occur but when and how severe it will be,” the letter signed by Jason Baker stated, emphasising the urgent need for preventative action. Baker is the senior vice president of PETA.

During the 2024 festival, wild elephants entered the event area multiple times, and a group of wild rhinos also approached the grounds, causing distress among the elephants. Weeks after the event, one of the same wild elephants was killed by rangers following an incident that endangered human lives.

PETA pointed out that incidents of captive elephants causing harm to humans at festivals and attractions are not isolated events. In Thailand earlier this year, a Spanish tourist was killed at an elephant attraction, and in India, nine elephants attacked and killed five people in ten days during events in Kerala.

The organisation cautioned that if a similar incident were to occur in Nepal, it could severely damage the country’s reputation and tourism industry.