PETA want Cage The Elephant to change their name “for a short while” to help end “animal cruelty in circuses”.
The animal rights organisation has urged the band to change their moniker to Free The Elephant on social media for a week, ahead of their NFL halftime show performance during the New England Patriots and Detroit Lions in Munich on Sunday (15.11.26).
A press release reads: “Ahead of Cage the Elephant’s halftime show at the NFL Munich Game, PETA is calling on the two-time Grammy-winning rock band to make one temporary but potentially transformative name change:
“Become ‘Free the Elephant’ across its social media accounts for a week to spotlight Okha, a 56-year-old ailing elephant who has spent most of her life forced to perform in the circus under the threat of punishment — and rally support to help retire her to a reputable sanctuary.”
The organisation noted that Okha was “ripped from her home and family in India when she was just a baby and is currently being hauled around in a trailer with an exhibitor, Brian Franzen”.
They alleged that Franzen has “previously been charged with felony cruelty to animals” and “was caught on camera yanking and striking an elephant with a bullhook”.
In a letter sent to the band, PETA said: “There ain’t no rest for Okha.
“We think you’d agree that she deserves the chance to spend her remaining years in peace with care, dignity, and respect.
“Lending a rendition of your iconic name for a short while could… help us come a little closer to ending animal cruelty in circuses.”
PETA added that Okha has become “morbidly obese” and “struggles to lie down, rise, or even move about, and has been kept in isolation since 2022”.
The band is yet to respond to the request, and Franzen hasn’t addressed PETA’s claims.
PETA has previously asked Nintendo to alter the design of Mario Kart World’s Cow because they felt the design promoted animal cruelty.
They also urged Led Zeppelin legend Robert Plant to temporarily go by Robert Plant Wool to raise awareness for alternatives to sheep’s wool.
Last week, Cage The Elephant announced plans for their new album Dying In Reverse, which will be released on February 5.