Investigation: Animal Sacrifice Continues at Gadhimai Temple
A new investigation from Animal Equality reveals thousands of animals were again mutilated and slaughtered in 2020 at a Gadhimai festival event.
THE DETAILS: On January 15, 2020, thousands of animals were sacrificed at the Gadhimai Temple in Southern Nepal at an event held in conjunction with last December’s Gadhimai festival. In exclusive footage from Animal Equality, buffaloes, goats and pigeons were filmed violently maimed and killed by festival attendees using a variety of weapons.
BRUTAL KILLING: Our investigators documented the horrific killing of conscious goats by devotees, with people shown horrifically decapitating the animals, with dozens of blows needed to complete the brutal killing. In other violent scenes, pigeons had their wings clipped and were thrown on to the rooftop of the temple to be later slaughtered for their meat.
VIOLENCE CONTINUED: These terrifying acts follow those that happened last year at the Gadhimai festival, an event known as the largest animal sacrifice in the world. At the multiple events held at the Gadhimai Temple, Animal Equality’s investigative teams documented many more atrocities, including:
- sexual abuse of some of the animals at the temple
- animals transported to the temple in unsafe and unhygienic conditions
- animals hanging upside down on bicycles
- starving animals without enough food or water
- calves, waiting to be slaughtered, who died due to cold temperatures
- devotees cutting the ears off goats and buffaloes and leaving them to bleed
OUR CAMPAIGN: Aside from our work on the ground during the Gadhimai festival, we actively campaigned to stop the killing at the festival for several months, gathering over 100,000 international signatures urging the Nepalese government to ban the slaughter of animals. We also collaborated with the Red Cross Society of Nepal to organize a blood donation camp, where devotees could give their blood to honor the deity instead of sacrificing animal blood.
WHAT WE’RE SAYING: “It is undisputed that the ritual of animal sacrifice is part of our human history. However, it should definitely not be a part of our present or future. As we evolve, we must discontinue traditions which involve the senseless torture to sentient beings,” says Amruta Ubale, Senior Director of Public Affairs of Animal Equality in India.
WHAT COMES NEXT: Animal Equality has been campaigning tirelessly to put a stop to the animal sacrifice at the Gadhimai festival. Thanks to the help of our activists, volunteers, and supporters worldwide, we have made great strides to end this cruelty, but the massacre continues and so must our work. We strongly believe that we are close to ending the festival’s animal slaughter, and to ensure that happens, we need your help. Please, sign our petition and use your voice to end ritual animal sacrifice at Gahimai once and for all.
YES, I WANT TO END ANIMAL SACRIFICE AT THE GADHIMAI FESTIVAL
