12/17/2004: Elephant polo

Undertoad · 12-17-2004, 12:04 PM

Elephant polo! Are you kidding me?

No apparently you aren't. Apparently Scotland was this year's winner of the world championships of the sport.

I would like to see live video of this... the images, it seems, would not do it justice. Is there strategy involved? Does it move fast, or lumberingly slow? Is it dangerous? The official web site is terrible!

But it looks like they have a sense of humor about it.

Karenv · 12-17-2004, 12:26 PM

Scottland? How many elephants do they have there anyway?

I thought the Alps were too cold when Hannibal went through with elephants. Isn't Scottland similar, with the highlands and higher latitudes?

garnet · 12-17-2004, 02:00 PM

I bet the elephants hate every second of it...

Troubleshooter · 12-17-2004, 02:05 PM

Dammit, I was just about to ask where PETA had been hiding...

BrianR · 12-17-2004, 03:02 PM

How do we know that the elephants DON'T enjoy the game? After all, they are mammals and most mammals are known to enjoy a good game of whatever, so perhaps there are pachyderm polo fans?

It seems to me that if a multi-ton animal doesn't want to do somethig, it ain't gonna do it. And a 200 pound human would have to take extraordinary measures to force it. Especially when all the elephant would need to do is step on the offending human to eliminate the annoyance. And since I know that in standard polo, the horses have a "feel" for the game and after training can be seen anticipating their riders' commands and moving into position without rider input.

All in all, I think these elephants might be having some fun at the game too.

Brian

garnet · 12-17-2004, 04:18 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BrianR

It seems to me that if a multi-ton animal doesn't want to do somethig, it ain't gonna do it. And a 200 pound human would have to take extraordinary measures to force it.

Have you ever heard of bullhooks and cattle prods? That what circuses and slaughterhouses use to get the critters to "move along" or put on a nice show. There's also something called negative reinforcement that "encourages" the animals to do as they're told.

Quote:

Originally Posted by BrianR

All in all, I think these elephants might be having some fun at the game too.

These are wild animals, not dogs playing frisbee. Elephants don't play polo for "fun" in nature.

glatt · 12-17-2004, 04:24 PM

And wolves play frisbee?

garnet · 12-17-2004, 04:30 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by glatt

And wolves play frisbee?

Huh?

Domesticated dogs for the most part enjoy playing ball, frisbee, etc. Nobody said anything about wolves...

Cyber Wolf · 12-17-2004, 05:57 PM

Canines in general like to chase things that move, regardless of the object or its size. It what they do. I once knew a spritely little yorkie who would chase cars along with the big dogs and he'd always be the one still chasing after the other dogs gave up...

I wouldn't be too surprised if a curious enough wolf went after a frisbee if it soared past its field of vision. He wouldn't make flying leaps or do any aerial acrobatics to catch it in his mouth, but he would go investigate. I wonder if any wolf researchers who've gone out and spent time with the wolves ever tried that. The biggest reason why a wolf wouldn't go after it is if it's busy doing something else and they're more likely to be busy with important things like finding lunch, shelter or a mate than a pet dog would, since the pet is most likely well fed and never has to take time to worry about catching the next meal, finding a good place to bed down or (if it's fixed) find a suitable mate.

warch · 12-17-2004, 03:05 PM

It IS another Chivas life experience.

Elspode · 12-17-2004, 04:05 PM

I'm pretty disappointed. I was looking forward to seeing just how large a mallet you needed to whack an elephant across the scoring line...

I thought a Chivas Experience had something to do with waking up in the morning with vomit all over you, wearing someone else's underwear on your head, and not knowing why you are in jail. Or maybe that was just me.

footfootfoot · 12-19-2004, 09:18 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Elspode

I'm pretty disappointed. I was looking forward to seeing just how large a mallet you needed to whack an elephant across the scoring line...

I thought a Chivas Experience had something to do with waking up in the morning with vomit all over you, wearing someone else's underwear on your head, and not knowing why you are in jail. Or maybe that was just me.

LMAO, Els,

warch · 12-17-2004, 04:15 PM

Somehow that little velvet drawstring bag always figured in....

wolf · 12-18-2004, 12:55 AM

I would like to, but I have to scrub out the inside of my brain first.

Karenv · 12-19-2004, 03:53 PM

I once read a book by an animal trainer who maintained that animals like the challenge of learning skills. Horses are proud to run and win races- in fact you couldn't drive them to the levels of exertion to win if they didn't. No reason elephants couldn't be happy to play or win at polo. It beats being Hannibal's cavalry or hauling logs. (Anyone see the end of Alexander?) And I don't see any cattle prods.

In the wild there may be plenty of survival challenges, but as we domesticate animals they can thrive under different challenges, like frisbee catching, performing well and winning races. Some domesticated animals couldn't survive without us, btw. They lost the skills and physical attributes necessary to survive in the wild.

12-17-2004, 12:04 PM	#1
Undertoad Radical Centrist Join Date: Jan 2001 Location: Cottage of Prussia Posts: 31,423	12/17/2004: Elephant polo Elephant polo! Are you kidding me? No apparently you aren't. Apparently Scotland was this year's winner of the world championships of the sport. I would like to see live video of this... the images, it seems, would not do it justice. Is there strategy involved? Does it move fast, or lumberingly slow? Is it dangerous? The official web site is terrible! But it looks like they have a sense of humor about it.

12-17-2004, 02:05 PM	#4
Troubleshooter The urban Jane Goodall Join Date: Jan 2004 Location: Florida Posts: 3,012	Dammit, I was just about to ask where PETA had been hiding... __________________ I have gained this from philosophy: that I do without being commanded what others do only from fear of the law. - Aristotle

12-17-2004, 03:02 PM	#5
BrianR Cleverly disguised as a responsible adult Join Date: Jan 2001 Location: Dallas, TX Posts: 3,338	How do we know that the elephants DON'T enjoy the game? After all, they are mammals and most mammals are known to enjoy a good game of whatever, so perhaps there are pachyderm polo fans? It seems to me that if a multi-ton animal doesn't want to do somethig, it ain't gonna do it. And a 200 pound human would have to take extraordinary measures to force it. Especially when all the elephant would need to do is step on the offending human to eliminate the annoyance. And since I know that in standard polo, the horses have a "feel" for the game and after training can be seen anticipating their riders' commands and moving into position without rider input. All in all, I think these elephants might be having some fun at the game too. Brian __________________ Never be afraid to tell the world who you are. -- Anonymous

12-17-2004, 05:57 PM	#9
Cyber Wolf As stable as a ring of PU-239 Join Date: Jun 2004 Location: On a huge rock covered in water, highly advanced moss and 7 billion parasites Posts: 1,264	Canines in general like to chase things that move, regardless of the object or its size. It what they do. I once knew a spritely little yorkie who would chase cars along with the big dogs and he'd always be the one still chasing after the other dogs gave up... I wouldn't be too surprised if a curious enough wolf went after a frisbee if it soared past its field of vision. He wouldn't make flying leaps or do any aerial acrobatics to catch it in his mouth, but he would go investigate. I wonder if any wolf researchers who've gone out and spent time with the wolves ever tried that. The biggest reason why a wolf wouldn't go after it is if it's busy doing something else and they're more likely to be busy with important things like finding lunch, shelter or a mate than a pet dog would, since the pet is most likely well fed and never has to take time to worry about catching the next meal, finding a good place to bed down or (if it's fixed) find a suitable mate. __________________ "I don't see what's so triffic about creating people as people and then getting' upset 'cos they act like people." ~Adam Young, Good Omens "I don't see why it matters what is written. Not when it's about people. It can always be crossed out." ~Adam Young, Good Omens

12-17-2004, 04:05 PM	#11
Elspode When Do I Get Virtual Unreality? Join Date: Dec 2002 Location: Raytown, Missouri Posts: 12,719	I'm pretty disappointed. I was looking forward to seeing just how large a mallet you needed to whack an elephant across the scoring line... I thought a Chivas Experience had something to do with waking up in the morning with vomit all over you, wearing someone else's underwear on your head, and not knowing why you are in jail. Or maybe that was just me. __________________ "To those of you who are wearing ties, I think my dad would appreciate it if you took them off." - Robert Moog

12-17-2004, 12:26 PM	#2
Karenv Slacker Join Date: May 2004 Location: Brooklyn, NY Posts: 144	Scottland? How many elephants do they have there anyway? I thought the Alps were too cold when Hannibal went through with elephants. Isn't Scottland similar, with the highlands and higher latitudes?

12-17-2004, 02:00 PM	#3
garnet ... Join Date: Aug 2004 Posts: 657	I bet the elephants hate every second of it...

12-17-2004, 04:24 PM	#7
glatt ™ Join Date: Jul 2003 Location: Arlington, VA Posts: 27,717	And wolves play frisbee?

12-17-2004, 03:05 PM	#10
warch lurkin old school Join Date: Oct 2001 Location: Minnesota Posts: 2,796	It IS another Chivas life experience.

12-17-2004, 04:15 PM	#13
warch lurkin old school Join Date: Oct 2001 Location: Minnesota Posts: 2,796	Somehow that little velvet drawstring bag always figured in....

12-18-2004, 12:55 AM	#14
wolf lobber of scimitars Join Date: Jul 2001 Location: Phila Burbs Posts: 20,774	I would like to, but I have to scrub out the inside of my brain first. __________________ wolf eht htiw og "Conspiracies are the norm, not the exception." --G. Edward Griffin The Creature from Jekyll Island High Priestess of the Church of the Whale Penis

12-19-2004, 03:53 PM	#15
Karenv Slacker Join Date: May 2004 Location: Brooklyn, NY Posts: 144	I once read a book by an animal trainer who maintained that animals like the challenge of learning skills. Horses are proud to run and win races- in fact you couldn't drive them to the levels of exertion to win if they didn't. No reason elephants couldn't be happy to play or win at polo. It beats being Hannibal's cavalry or hauling logs. (Anyone see the end of Alexander?) And I don't see any cattle prods. In the wild there may be plenty of survival challenges, but as we domesticate animals they can thrive under different challenges, like frisbee catching, performing well and winning races. Some domesticated animals couldn't survive without us, btw. They lost the skills and physical attributes necessary to survive in the wild.

Currently Active Users Viewing This Thread: 1 (0 members and 1 guests)