Live Elephant Exploited for Art Exhibit

A spray-painted elephant was put on display in downtown Los Angeles last week as part of an art exhibit entitled "Barely Legal" by a British artist called Banksy. The 38-year-old elephant, named Tai, was leased from Have Trunk Will Travel, a commercial elephant "rental" agency, and placed in a warehouse decorated like a living room where she stood separated from crowds of people by a picket fence.

When IDA learned of the exhibit, Southern California Coordinator, Bill Dyer immediately called Los Angeles Animal Services out to investigate. Ed Boks, general manager of Animal Services, said, "I think it sends a very wrong message that abusing animals is not only OK, it's an art form." After learning that the paint used on the elephant was unsafe according to government regulations, Boks ordered it removed from the elephant's skin. By Sunday, Tai remained in the room, although unpainted.

A host of animal advocates spoke out strongly against the irresponsible use of a live elephant in an art show. "(This exhibit) degrades the elephant," said former L.A. Zoo curator Les Schobert. "Here we have an endangered species. And we're taking it and moving it into a warehouse and painting it. It's a mockery."

Dyer, who attended the exhibit to check on Tai's treatment, confirmed that while she had adequate food and water throughout the day, as he told news reporters, the exhibit was "another example of our exploitation of animals—so gimmicky and unnecessary."

The debate over whether elephants should be on display at all is particularly heated in Los Angeles, where activists have spent years working to close the L.A. Zoo's elephant exhibit and send the animals to a sanctuary. It was a mere three months ago that beloved 48-year-old elephant Gita died prematurely at the Zoo due to captivity-induced ailments. Meanwhile, L.A. Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa, who campaigned on a pledge to move the L.A. Zoo's elephants to a sanctuary, has yet to fulfill this promise. However misguided his intentions, Banksy's installation is a reminder that there is indeed an "elephant in the room," and it's the way elephants are routinely exploited for "entertainment" and profit.

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