Shocking video of cruelty against ‘Water for Elephants’ huge star, Tai [VIDEO]
But would the British hunk feel the same after he found out about the cruelty allegedly suffered by his co-star years before filming ‘Elephants’?
“I’d love to be an elephant!’, thus, so claimed by ‘Water for Elephants’ star Robert Pattinson when he appeared on NBC show late March describing how he felt when he first climbed to his huge co-star Tai.
But would the British hunk feel the same after he found out about the cruelty allegedly suffered by his co-star years before filming ‘Elephants’?
In a cry of animal cruelty, an animal rights activist group has come out recently with a shocking video documenting the ways by which Tai and other elephants were trained by their grooms.
The Telegraph said that the animal rights group, the Animal Defenders International claims that the 640-tons animal star had suffered from electric devices as she was shocked with hand-held stun guns.
ADI added that Tai was also beaten around the body and legs with bull hooks.
“This poor elephant was trained to do the very tricks you see in the film by being given electric shocks,” ADI Chief Executive was quoted as saying by The Telegraph.
He added: “I believe that Reese Witherspoon and Robert Pattinson will be horrified to learn what Tai went through.”
Tai was trained by personnel from Have Trunk Will Travel, Inc. (HTWTI). And Tai’s trainors Gary and Kari Johnson belied reports that cruel methods were applied as ADI claimed.
They shot back at ADI taking note of the video the animal group has released recently, emphasizing that it was manipulated for its purpose.
“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?” the Johnsons said in a statement, according to The Telegraph.
The Tai’s trainors maintained that the video show no footage of Tai being trained for and during the filming of ‘Water for Elephants’.
“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’.
They concluded: “Rest assured that we will continue to provide Tai and all of our elephants with the love and excellent care they deserve.”
Click here to watch the video from the animal rights group.
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