Tai (elephant)
Species | Asian elephant[1] |
---|---|
Sex | Female |
Born | November 4, 1968 Thailand[citation needed] |
Died | May 17, 2021 Fredericksburg, Texas, U.S.[2] | (aged 52–53)
Known for | The films Operation Dumbo Drop, Larger than Life, George of the Jungle and Water for Elephants. |
Weight | 3600 kg (8,000 lb) (1995)[1] 4200 kg (9,200 lb) (2011)[3] |
Height | 269 cm (8 ft 10 in) |
Official site (Archived) |
Tai (November 4, 1968 – May 7, 2021) was an Asian elephant. She was best known for portraying Bo Tat in the film Operation Dumbo Drop (1995), Vera in Larger than Life (1996), and Rosie in Water for Elephants (2011). Her name was derived from her country of birth, Thailand.[citation needed] Tai was captured in the wild and placed into captivity.[2] She was owned by Gary and Kari Johnson of Have Trunk Will Travel, Inc., a privately funded organization that generates income through elephant rides, shows and events, as well as film and commercial appearances. In 2020, Have Trunk Will Travel was rebranded as The Preserve.
Career
Tai had an uncredited film appearance as a circus elephant in
Tai portrayed the major role of Vera in the 1996 comedy
Tai's performance in Water for Elephants in 2011 was praised.[9] It was the second time Tai, Reese Witherspoon and Robert Pattinson had all worked on the same film, as all three had been filmed in Vanity Fair in 2004, though Pattinson's part was edited out of the final cut.[3]
One of Tai's paintings as well as an autographed poster for Water for Elephants was auctioned off on eBay to raise awareness of elephant endotheliotropic herpesvirus.[3] The money Tai raised from the auction was given to the International Elephant Foundation (IEF) which distributed it to the appropriate labs and research facilities actively working to find a cure for EEHV.[10]
Tai died in May 2021, aged 53,[11] at The Preserve facility in Fredericksburg, Texas.[2] The Preserve sent out an email on May 7 to their subscribers saying she had died after "a brief illness"; a spokesperson from the group later said she had died from kidney failure. She was the second elephant to die at The Preserve that year, reigniting allegations of animal cruelty at the facility.[2]
Controversy
Tai's appearances in film were frequently condemned by animal rights organizations
Following Tai's appearances in Water for Elephants, controversy erupted regarding concerns she was mistreated prior to filming.[5] A video released by the Animal Defenders International (ADI) in 2011 shows footage of Tai allegedly being shocked with handheld stun guns and beaten around the body and legs with bull hooks, while in the care of Have Trunk Will Travel in 2005. The ADI contacted AHA, urging them to re-evaluate how they assess the use of animals in films and the statements being made which effectively endorse the use of performing animals.[18] Have Trunk Will Travel responded to the video stating, "The video shows heavily edited and very short snippets, obviously taken surreptitiously six years ago, purporting mistreatment of our elephants. If there was truly any abuse going on why wait six minutes, much less six years?"[19] In 2018, Have Trunk Will Travel relocated their business from California to Texas after California introduced a law banning the use of bull hooks in training animals.[2]
Filmography
- Quest for Fire (1981) - Woolly mammoth (uncredited)
- Big Top Pee-wee (1988)
- The Giant of Thunder Mountain (1991) - Circus elephant (uncredited)
- Rudyard Kipling's The Jungle Book (1994)
- Operation Dumbo Drop (1995) - Bo Tat
- Larger than Life (1996) - Vera
- George of the Jungle (1997) - Shep
- Meet the Deedles (1998) - Circus elephant (uncredited)
- The Scorpion King (2002)
- George of the Jungle 2 (2003) - Shep
- Looney Tunes: Back in Action (2003)
- Vanity Fair (2004)
- Circus (2008)
- Exit Through the Gift Shop (2009)
- Water for Elephants (2011)
- Westworld (2018)
- Saving Flora (2018)
See also
References
- ^ American Humane Association. May 24, 1995. Archived from the originalon February 23, 2013. Retrieved January 5, 2013.
- ^ a b c d e Gubbins, Theresa (May 12, 2021). "Elephant that was in film Water For Elephants dies suddenly at Texas facility". CultureMap Dallas. Archived from the original on May 17, 2021.
- ^ a b c d "Five Film Facts: 'Water for Elephants'". Yahoo! Movies. Retrieved 5 January 2013.
- ^ Wyatt, Edward. A Splashy Los Angeles Debut by Banksy - Design - New York Times, Published: September 16, 2006, retrieved December 2012
- ^ a b "'Water for Elephants' Elephant Was Abused in 2005, Says Animal Rights Group". hollywoodreporter.com. May 9, 2011. Retrieved January 5, 2013.
- ^ Ebert, Roger (November 1, 1996). "Larger Than Life". rogerebert.suntimes.com. Retrieved January 5, 2013.
- ^ Holden, Stephen (November 1, 1996). "Larger Than Life (1996)". The New York Times. Retrieved January 5, 2013.
- ^ Berardinelli, James (1996). "Larger Than Life". reelviews.net. Retrieved January 5, 2013.
- ^ Errigo, Angie. "Water For Elephants". Empire. Retrieved January 5, 2013.
- ^ "2012 Elephant Conservation and Research Funding Support". elephantconservation.org. Retrieved 10 January 2013.
- ^ a b Ganz, Jami (May 13, 2021). "Elephant featured in 'Westworld,' 'Water for Elephants' has died". New York Daily News. Archived from the original on May 14, 2021.
- ^ Montgomery, James (December 9, 2008). "Britney Spears' 'Circus' Video Taken To Task By PETA, But Trainers Insist Animals Were Treated Well". MTV. MTV Networks. Retrieved January 5, 2013.
- ^ Bowes, Peter (September 14, 2006). "'Guerrilla artist' Banksy hits LA". BBC. Retrieved January 5, 2013.
- ^ "Was 'Elephant's' pachyderm treated humanely on set?". MSNBC. April 22, 2011. Archived from the original on August 19, 2011. Retrieved January 5, 2013.
- ^ a b Gonzales, Sandra (July 7, 2011). "PETA protests at 'Zookeeper' premiere. Director says animals were treated 'with love and respect'". Entertainment Weekly. Retrieved January 5, 2013.
- The Huffington Post. July 10, 2011. Retrieved January 5, 2013.
- ^ "Rosie". The Preserve. Archived from the original on July 20, 2020. Retrieved July 20, 2020.
- ^ "Movie Star Electric Shocked". ADI. May 7, 2011. Retrieved January 5, 2013.
- ^ Griffiths, Ian J (May 10, 2011). "Elephant trainers accused of abusing animal star of Water for Elephants". The Guardian. Retrieved January 5, 2013.
External links
- Tai at IMDb
- Official profile via Wayback Machine.