Elephant polo match canceled amid activist protest

JAIPUR, India — An iconic elephant polo match has been canceled in Jaipur after Indian animal rights activists objected that the sport was cruel to the animals.

The group People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals called the cancellation of Sunday’s match “a victory for the elephants.”

Jaipur District Magistrate Naveen Mahajan says protests promped beer giant Carlsberg India to yank its sponsorship of the Polo Cup in the northern state of Rajasthan.

Officials also noted the elephants were not properly registered as performing animals.

Elephants are protected in India, where there are more than two dozen sanctuaries for wild tuskers.

Activists say polo-playing elephants, however, are trained through harsh means including being poked with metal rods and hooks.