A circus coming to Ocala next week may find itself facing an elephant-sized controversy, and this time, the elephant won’t be the one performing.
People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals (PETA) plans to bring a giant “crying elephant” to the Southeastern Livestock Pavilion on Monday, November 2, to protest the treatment of a 56-year-old elephant named Okha, who continues to perform and give rides despite what the organization describes as serious health and mobility problems.
The demonstration is scheduled for 7 p.m. outside the Loomis Bros. Circus at 2232 N. Jacksonville Road.
PETA alleges that Okha has spent more than five decades in captivity after being taken from her native India as a baby. The organization claims the elephant is severely overweight, struggles to walk and has difficulty lying down and getting back on her feet.
PETA also alleges that Okha has been kept in isolation since 2022, despite elephants being naturally social animals that typically live in close-knit family groups.
The organization is calling on the circus and elephant exhibitor Brian Franzen to retire Okha to a reputable elephant sanctuary rather than continue using her for performances and rides.
“For more than 50 years of sheer exploitation, Okha has been denied any freedom, companionship, or opportunity to live as an elephant should, and now she staggers about in pain,” said Debbie Metzler, managing director of captive wildlife for the PETA Foundation.
The organization has also raised concerns about Franzen’s handling of elephants, pointing to footage it says shows him striking and pulling an elephant with a sharp metal-tipped bullhook, a tool used to direct and control the animals.
PETA further states that Franzen has previously faced felony animal cruelty charges. The organization did not provide the disposition of those charges in its announcement.
While elephants have long been a staple of traditional circus entertainment, their use in traveling performances has increasingly drawn criticism from animal welfare advocates concerned about confinement, transportation and training practices.
PETA hopes Monday’s demonstration will encourage circusgoers to reconsider supporting performances involving live animals.
The organization is also urging Loomis Bros. Circus to allow Okha to spend her remaining years in a sanctuary.
The allegations concerning Okha’s health and treatment were provided by PETA. A response from Loomis Bros. Circus or Franzen was not included in the organization’s announcement.
