African elephant urinates on floor during Texas Republican convention

An African elephant weighing roughly four tons urinated on the floor of the George R. Brown Convention Center in Houston on Friday during the Texas Republican Party's annual convention. Attendees had been told to prepare for a larger-than-life surprise and to keep the aisles clear after the governor finished the keynote speech.

Paige, an African elephant from the East Texas Elephant Experience in Cut and Shoot, Texas, entered the hall wearing a campaign-themed banner and then halted during the procession. Videos shared online showed urine streaming onto the floor as attendees reacted with surprise and laughter.

The Texas Republican Party posted footage of the elephant's arrival on its X account, stating the appearance was a treat delegates would not forget.

Animal welfare concerns raised The Texas Democratic Party circulated video of the incident and described it as a metaphor for the Texas Republican Party. The Animal Rights Coalition criticized the East Texas Elephant Experience for using the elephants at events, stating the animals deserve sanctuary free from exploitation.

Paige and two other elephants were brought to the United States after their parents were poached for ivory in the late 1990s, according to the company's website. The business offers paid visitor experiences and rents elephants for events. African elephants are listed as endangered by the International Union for Conservation of Nature due to hunting and poaching for their tusks.