A 56-year-old elephant in a trailer
Captured as a baby in India, Okha now travels from place to place in a trailer operated by American exhibitor Brian Franzen.
PETA’s high-profile demand in Munich
The animal rights organization PETA USA has called on the rock band Cage the Elephant to temporarily rename itself “Free the Elephant” ahead of its upcoming halftime performance at the NFL Munich Game, n-tv.de reported.
The two-time Grammy-winning group is scheduled to perform during the intermission of Sunday’s matchup between the Detroit Lions and the New England Patriots at Munich’s Allianz Arena. The game kicks off at 2:30 p.m. local time and will be broadcast live on RTL and Sky Sport, as well as on FOX in the United States.
The plight of Okha
According to a letter sent to the band, PETA USA asked the musicians to use the modified name on their social media channels for one week. The organization stated that a temporary name change could help secure Okha’s transfer to a recognized animal sanctuary.
PETA stated that Franzen has faced severe animal cruelty charges and was filmed striking an elephant in the face with an elephant hook. The organization noted that Okha is morbidly obese after more than five decades of forced circus performances. She struggles to lie down, stand up, or move around normally. She has lived in isolation since 2022, when Franzen moved her two remaining companions to another facility, according to PETA.
Origins of the band’s name
The Kentucky-born alternative rock group originally named themselves “Perfect Confusion” before adopting their current moniker. Frontman Matt Shultz chose the name after a confused or psychologically unstable man approached the band following a concert, hugged him, and repeatedly muttered the phrase, “You have to cage the elephant.”
An unanswered appeal
PETA has organized more than 30 demonstrations for Okha and launched a federal petition in Germany against wild animals in circuses, the band’s upcoming performance offers a high-profile platform. Cage the Elephant has not yet responded to the public appeal, n-tv.de reported, and whether the musicians will alter their social media presence ahead of Sunday’s kickoff remains unconfirmed.
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