Elephant urinates at Texas Republican convention, sparking animal welfare outcry
A 4-ton African elephant named Paige brought to the Texas Republican party's annual convention urinated on the floor, drawing criticism over animal cruelty and becoming a political symbol.
Elephant urinates at Texas Republican convention
At the George R Brown convention center in Houston on Friday, attendees of the Texas Republican party's annual convention were promised a "larger-than-life surprise" after Governor Greg Abbott's keynote speech. Organizers asked people to keep aisles clear. Shortly after Abbott finished, Paige, an African elephant weighing approximately 4 tons, entered the hall adorned with a large campaign-themed banner. As Paige walked through, she stopped and relieved herself, with urine streaming onto the floor, according to videos shared online.
Reactions among attendees included shouts of "Oh no," laughter, and surprise. The Texas Democratic party quickly circulated the video, calling it "the perfect metaphor for the Texas Republican Party." The Texas GOP posted its own video on X, welcoming Paige and calling the appearance a treat delegates wouldn't forget.
Paige is part of the East Texas Elephant Experience in Cut and Shoot, Texas. The company says Paige and two other elephants were brought to the US after their parents were poached in the late 1990s. The business offers "up close and personal" experiences for $125 per ticket and also rents out elephants.
The Animal Rights Coalition has been critical, accusing the facility in a 2024 Facebook post of forcing the animals to travel for "selfish entertainment." The group has a website page titled "Send Jeanie, Krissy, and Paige to Sanctuary!" alleging that the elephants endure long confinement, often chained and transported in cramped trailers.
Replies to the GOP's post were largely critical, with journalist Yashar Ali writing: "Shame on every single human being involved in torturing Paige the Elephant." Another commenter called it "abhorrent cruelty."
Paige's species, the African elephant, is endangered. These mammals are vulnerable to poaching for their tusks. Ironically, the Republican symbol was further imperiled after Trump loosened restrictions on importing elephant trophies from some African countries, contributing to population decline. Two of Trump's sons, Donald Jr and Eric, are avid big-game hunters, pictured in 2011 with a killed elephant.
