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PETA have urged Cage The Elephant to change their name ahead of their upcoming NFL halftime show in Munich later this week.
The band are due to perform during the New England Patriots vs. Detroit Lions game this Sunday (November 15).
But ahead of that performance PETA are calling on the Cage The Elephant to temporarily change their name to Free The Elephant across their social media platforms for a week.
The animal rights organisation claims in a press release that an elephant by the name of Okha “has spent most of her life forced to perform in the circus under the threat of punishment” and they are rallying to support to “help retire her to a reputable sanctuary”.
PETA claims Okha is “currently being hauled around in a trailer with an exhibitor, Brian Franzen”, who allegedly “has a history of felony cruelty to animals charges” and “was caught on camera yanking and striking an elephant with a bullhook”.
In a letter sent to Cage The Elephant, PETA wrote: “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 went on to say it has organised more than “30 demonstrations on Okha’s behalf, contacted venues hosting animal acts, and rallied tens of thousands of supporters to call for her retirement”.
The organisation is also encouraging people “to call on venues to stop hosting circuses that use animals and help retire Okha to a reputable sanctuary where she could roam expansive habitats, forage, receive expert veterinary care, and have the companionship of other elephants”.
The band have yet to respond publicly to PETA’s request and NME has contacted the band for comment. Franzen has also not yet publicly commented on PETA’s claims.
It comes after PETA previously reached out to Led Zeppelin frontman Robert Plant, and urged him to temporarily change his name to ‘Robert Plant Wool’ in a bid to raise more awareness for plant alternatives to sheep’s wool.
They also previously called on Nintendo to change the appearance of fan-favourite Mario Kart World character Cow, arguing that its design promoted cruelty.
Meanwhile, Cage The Elephant recently announced full details of their new album ‘Dying In Reverse’ which is due for release on February 5, 2027 via Big Loud Rock. You can pre-order it here.
They are also due to hit the road for a UK and European tour in 2027. Find all the dates here and any remaining tickets here.
