Elephant Polo: Why? Trivia Quiz

Answer: World Elephant Polo Assocation

The World Elephant Polo Association was formed in 1982 by Mr. A. V. Jim Edwards after a few drinks, in St. Moritz of all places. Elephant polo is also played in India and Sri Lanka by independent associations. The FEI is the Fédération Équestre Internationale. Sadly, A. V. Jim Edwards died in 2008.

Answer: United Against Elephant Polo

Most of the logical arguments seem to centre around the use of the ankus, an ancient hooked tool used to control the elephant.

Answer: Two

There are two 10-minute chukkas, with a 15-minute interval. Contrast that with ordinary polo, where eight chukkas of seven minutes are played.

Answer: Winter evenings

There are approximately 15,000 captive elephants in India that can never go back to the wild. Many of them are chained in concrete enclosures. AEP helps them get exercise. Ankuses are not used, and all matches take place in the relative cool of winter evenings, on soft fields. The elephants are not forced to run and swerve either.

Answer: No

The ankus is forbidden under WEPA rules as well as AEP. The rules also stipulate that, "Sugar cane or rice balls packed with vitamins (molasses and rock salt) shall be given to the elephants at the end of each match, and a cold beer or soft drink to the elephant drivers and not vice versa." (From the WEPA official rules).

Answer: Sri Lanka

Abey, an 18-year old elephant 'got confused' according to the organiser of the annual Ceylon Elephant Polo Association Bowl. Against this, it should be pointed out that in 2006, 50 people were killed in Sri Lanka by wild elephants straying into villages, looking for food. 150 wild elephants were killed for the same reason. Neither Abey or any people were killed in this incident.

Answer: Jacob Riis Park in Queens with Cadillac SUVs

The team assembled by Bill Keith, then a writer for "Giant" magazine comprised Bryan Abrams, a research editor at Playboy, Josh Dean, a former editor of 'Play' (the New York Times' defunct sports magazine), Rob Forster, a corporate lawyer, and two bankers, Chip Frazier and Jeff Bollerman. Melanie Brandman, a public relations executive, was their manager. Keith and Dean borrowed Cadillac SUVs and they made mallets out of paint rollers and PVC pipe.

They managed precisely two practice sessions before the real thing, where they performed extremely well.

They nearly secured the gold 'Quailch' trophy for amateur teams before being beaten by Tiger Tops, Nepal.

Answer: The Camargue, France

Elephant polo is played in Nepal, Sri Lanka, Thailand, and India. These countries have huge numbers of domesticated elephants. For thousands of years, elephants have worked in these countries in activities such as logging.

Answer: England

All the others have won at least once. Scotland was beaten by 'Air Tusker', England, with the final score England 6 v Chivas Scotland 1.

Answer: Yes

All the matches raise money for the local region, supporting schools and orphanages in Nepal, including the local Meghauly Clinic and the Tiger Tops Swiss Air funded local pre-school, throughout the history of the tournament. The International Trust for Nature Conservation and community development in Chitwan and Nawalparasi in Nepal have also benefited. Money has also been raised for the Multiple Sclerosis Society. Whether you agree with elephant polo or not, these are worthy causes.

The elephants are also cared for and kept healthy in a way that many of their species are not, with some begging on the streets or being killed for encroaching on human settlements.