30 Wildlife and Cattle Protection Organisations and Veterinarians Petition Karnataka Government to Cancel Disruptive Kambala Event at Pilikula Biological Park
A coalition of animal protection organisations including those focused on wildlife and cattle protection, along with over a dozen veterinarians, has issued a joint appeal to Dr. Ekroop Caur, Secretary to the Government, Department of Electronics, Information Technology, Biotechnology, and Science & Technology, Karnataka with copy to Mr. Subhash K. Malkhede, Principal Chief Conservator of Forests (Wildlife) & Chief Wildlife Warden, Karnataka. The appeal protests the plan by the Pilikula Development Authority (PDA) to stage a large-scale raucous Kambala (buffalo race) mela inside the Pilikula Biological Park premises and near the animals’ enclosures. The organisations are PETA India, Animal Rahat, People for Cattle in India (PFCI), World Veterinary Service (WVS), India Project for Animals and Nature (IPAN), Compassion Unlimited Plus Action (CUPA), Wildlife Rescue and Rehabilitation Centre (WRRC), Human & Environment Alliance League (HEAL), Earthlings Trust, Fauna Police, Sacred Earth Trust, Give Me Trees Trust, Umeed Foundation and Federation of Indian Animal Protection Organisations (FIAPO)—the latter of which is a federation of more than 200 animal protection organisations across India. Sixteen veterinarians have also signed the appeal.
The appeal highlights that the planned event is expected to attract thousands of spectators, generating high noise levels and disturbances that could trigger severe stress responses in the park’s animal residents. Research indicates that such disturbances can result in hearing loss, panic, increased heart rate, and disruptions in critical behaviours—including breeding—thus placing the animals at risk of long-term health complications.
Investigations by PETA India have documented that buffaloes used in Kambala events are subjected to inhumane treatment. These animals are tethered without adequate food or water, beaten with sticks, and forcibly restrained with painful nose ropes, resulting in distress and fear. Buffaloes are physically ill-suited to racing because, among other reasons, they lack the sweat glands needed to deal with the heat exertion the races inevitably cause in these animals. To control buffaloes and force them to run, handlers use cruel methods, such as violently pulling and yanking on nose ropes, striking and slapping buffaloes with their hands, shouting at them, and continuously hitting the animals with wooden sticks to incite them before the races as well as hitting them during the races and inflicting bloody wounds.
The organisations and veterinarians urge the state government to take immediate action to prevent the disruptive Kambala event at Pilikula Biological Park, ensuring the safety, health, and dignity of both the resident wildlife and buffaloes.
