Open letter to Editors and Concerned CitizensThe Animal Welfare Network Nepal AWNN is shocked to hear about yak festivals where hundreds of visitors drink raw yak blood. Can you stop for a moment and think how painful it must be for these innocent creatures to have their necks and bodies pierced and to be drained of blood? This festival or whatever you want to call it is nothing but a show of barbarism. We are astounded that such a great man as Magsaysay award winner Mahabir Pun is promoting such cruel acts in the name of culture.
Humanity as a whole must speak out against cruelty against living beings in the name of religion, culture or health. Mass slaughter of animals in the name of appeasing the gods has been banned in almost every other country in the world but ours. Drinking blood of live animals must be banned. It is not only cruel but also dangerous for health as zoonotic diseases can easily be transmitted, with potentially fatal effects. We call for the authorities to take immediate action.
Pramada Shah
Chair Animal Welfare Network Nepal
Pramada Shah
Chair Animal Welfare Network Nepal
Drinking raw animal blood may have serious health impacts. Yaks can suffer from TB and other transmittable diseases. For more information about the practice of 'Khun Khane':