Hi - This is our response to the animal rights extremist video that is going around. Feel free to pass it on. ~Kari
We are so disappointed that the wonderful opportunity presented by Tai's role in "Water for Elephants" to raise awareness and funds for elephant conservation and Elephant Endotheliotropic Herpesvirus (EEHV) is being exploited by animal rights extremist groups.
We are unwavering in our commitment to elephants. We stand by our care and training methods. We are proud of our contributions to elephant welfare and conservation.
Animal rights extremist groups are using Tai’s role in Water for Elephants as a vehicle to take advantage of her celebrity to further their efforts to remove elephants and all exotic animals from entertainment. These groups have no basis of knowledge or experience working with elephants. They have an agenda and a history of using less than honest means to achieve their goals.
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?
None of the footage being shown was taken during Tai’s training for Water for Elephants. Tai’s celebrity and the popularity of the movie seem to be the motivation for the extremist groups to garner publicity for themselves and their cause. As our work in the movie proves you can make something look like anything to suit your purposes. That is why they call it “movie magic”.
Rest assured that we will continue to provide Tai and all of our elephants with the love and excellent care they deserve.
Gary and Kari Johnson
Have Trunk Will Travel, Inc
2 comments:
What I witnessed from that video, whether it was 6 minutes ago or 6 years ago was deeply disturbing. I notice the word "extremist" was used multiple times to somehow be dismissive and lessen the importance of the work of the animal rights groups that thankfully expose the cruelty to animals at the hands of people like yourselves, in the name of "training"? The animal rights groups have their "causes", "goals","agenda", "publicity", and "purpose" (all your words),and that is to expose people like you, so that we can stop it by any means necessary- I am boycotting the film and just show me where to show up with a sign.
Kathsen.
You should be aware that the admitted goal of PETA is to eliminate ALL use of animals whatsoever, pets, service animals and especially food. If you think animals and people should mix in any way PETA is out to stop you,when they get to you.
Mark Horton
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