What is an elephant bullhook?
A bullhook is a handling tool with a metal hook and pointed tip, used to control an elephant’s movement during training and handling. The hook can apply pressure to the skin and can also be used to punish an elephant. CWI opposes training that relies on pain or intimidation.
Meet Okha, an elephant at the center of CWI’s circus advocacy. Below, read her story, watch May 2026 footage of her performances and rides, and take action for her retirement to sanctuary.
Learn about Okha, take action for her retirement to sanctuary, or receive CWI’s animal advocacy alerts and campaign updates.
Take action for Okha | Get CWI action alerts
Okha the Elephant: Her Life in the Circus & the Fight for Sanctuary
Okha is a 56-year-old elephant who has spent her life in the circus. After decades of travel, performances, rides, and confinement, she should be retired to an accredited sanctuary where she can finally experience peace, safety, and the companionship of other elephants. Instead, Okha continues to be used for entertainment at an age when every remaining day should belong to her.
CompassionWorks International, also known as CWI, is working to expose Okha’s suffering, pressure decision-makers, and build public support for her retirement. Please watch her story, take action, and help us keep fighting for the freedom she has been denied for far too long.
WATCH OKHA'S STORY
Okha performing May 2026
Okha giving rides May 2026
WHO IS OKHA?
Born in India in 1970, Okha was torn from the wild and sold into suffering at a young age. We believe she was sold to Wayne Franzen in 1974, who then launched Franzen Bros. Circus in 1975.
Elephant circus training is notoriously brutal involving ropes, bullhooks (sharp metal hooks on a long pole), beatings, and other vicious strategies. While we have no images or recordings of Okha's training, we can assume that hers was no different than the training of other elephants from that time.
Notably, Okha was forcibly trained to stand on a ball. Franzen Bros. Circus utilized images of Okha undertaking the cruel trick as the centerpiece of their circus.
Okha performed with Franzen Bros. Circus seemingly without the company of any other elephant until she was joined by Kosti and Megue in 1984.
After Wayne Franzen was killed by a tiger during a 1997 performance, his son Brian Franzen reportedly kept Franzen Bros. Circus on the road for several months, but the circus closed later that year. Brian Franzen continued in the animal-act business, leasing or providing animal acts, including Okha, to other circuses rather than operating Franzen Bros. Circus as a full traveling show.
Brian Franzen relocated Kosti to Memphis Zoo in 2022 and Megue to a Six Flags location in New Jersey that same year. Sadly, Okha has been kept alone since that time while forced to continue performing and giving rides in various circuses including Cindy Migley's Circus Spectacular, Mysterious Circus, and Loomis Bros Circus.
CWI has documented Okha’s continued use in performances and has raised concerns about her age, isolation, travel schedule, and the physical demands placed on her. After a lifetime in the circus, Okha deserves retirement to an accredited sanctuary where her needs can finally come first.
