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Pink Elephant
In a show called Barely Legal, held in a warehouse in Los Angeles, British artist Bansky employed a real Indian elephant named Tai, spray painted her in pink and gold to make a statement. According to Bansky, Tai was supposed to represent the big issues in life, such as poverty, that is so often overlooked.

Extinct Animal Survey

Survey at a Glance
184 students, ages 19 and under, from three countries, took part in this survey!

Les Schobert, an animal rights activist and a former L.A. Zoo curator said, "Here we have an endangered species and we're taking it and moving it into a warehouse and painting it. It's a mockery. There's no reason. This isn't a religious ceremony in India... " Tai's owner said that Tai is used to make-up and was not abused.

Seventy Tunisian students, seventy-nine American students, and thirty-five Indian students were surveyed to get their perspective on this incident. According to the poll an overwhelming majority of these students are totally against using endangered animals in art shows or any form of exhibition. The children responded to the eight questions as follows. Here is what the survey has yielded:

Q.1) Do you think that using animals in circuses or employing them in art shows (the way Tai was employed) to bring attention to global issues is the best way to address them?

Yes, as poverty is a big issue, using an elephant to convey the message is ideal.

No, this is wrong. We would not be happy with using animals that way. We cannot mistreat or exploit them.

Not sure; I don't feel strongly one way or the other.

Q.2) Could there have been a better way to raise awareness of how big a problem poverty is without using an endangered elephant as a symbol?

Yes, there are more humane ways to increase public concern. Employing animals to make a statement is not
likely to increase public concern on any issues.

No, I cannot think of a better way to have done this.

Not sure; I don't feel strongly one way or the other.

Q.3) Do you think that using animals in art shows to raise people's awareness about some issues will encourage more artists and activists to use other endangered animals in their shows?

Yes, they'll be tempted by the show and mainly the alluring paint of the elephant.

No, not necessarily as they might resort to different ways.

Not sure; I don't feel strongly one way or the other.

Q.4) Do you think that the artist's way of using an endangered animal can really rouse people's concern about poverty?

Yes, as the image of the pink elephant will remain vivid in people's mind and never be forgotten.

No, on the contrary, the image of the pink elephant can only nourish in them a feeling of revolt.

Not sure; I don't feel strongly one way or the other.

Q.5) Do you think that using endangered animals can divert public's opinion from one issue such as endangered animals to another one?

Yes, as people will focus their attention on other issues and end up minimising the threat encountered by
endangered animals.

No, as people could weigh different issues equally and with the same concern.

Not sure; I don't feel strongly one way or the other.

Q.6) Do you think that using endangered species in art shows may trigger a negative reaction among viewers, especially smugglers who will be tempted by the idea of capturing tigers, elephants, leopards, etc. to sell them to well-off people or traders ?

Yes, as selling these vulnerable and rare species can be a lavish source of revenue for them.

No, they can be deterred by some treaties and laws.

Not sure; I don't feel strongly one way or the other.

Q.7) Do you think that governments in different countries must prohibit the use of endangered animals in art shows and the like?

Yes, it's urgent to implement tough measures to put an end to these inhumane shows.

No, because there's nothing wrong with these shows so long as they are meant to address some issues.

Not sure; I don't feel strongly one way or the other.

Q.8) Would you personally approve of using endangered animals in art shows to address controversial issues such as poverty?

Yes, as there's no harm in doing this and mainly if the aim is to sensitize people to big issues.

No, I consider this cruel.

Not sure; I don't feel strongly one way or the other.