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The Museum of the Southwest in Midland, Texas, forces an elderly elephant named Okha to paint, take photos with the public, and perform other circus-style tricks at a yearly event in September. Okha, and other elephants used in these traveling acts, have suffered a lifetime of abuse and should be retired to an accredited sanctuary. Please take action below by telling the museum's leadership to abandon traveling wild animal acts!
Elephants used for entertainment are forced into these activities under the threat of a bullhook—a sharp weapon that resembles a fireplace poker—so they know to expect pain if they don’t follow commands. No reputable facility would haul elephants to an event and force them to perform circus-style tricks. “Pachyderm painting” is clearly a money grab with no concern for the animal’s well-being.
The Museum of the Southwest ignored all the suffering Okha has endured and the ongoing damage to her physical and mental health for its SeptemberFest event.
Use the form below to speak up on behalf of elephants used for entertainment and demand that the Museum of the Southwest abandon this ill-conceived part of SeptemberFest.