An African elephant named Paige relieved itself on the convention floor Friday after Gov. Greg Abbott's keynote speech, drawing attention for animal welfare concerns.
10:55 PM
An African elephant named Paige urinated on the floor of the Texas Republican Party convention in Houston on Friday, creating an unexpected moment during the event held at the George R Brown convention center.
The incident occurred after Gov. Greg Abbott finished his keynote speech. Convention organizers had announced a "larger-than-life surprise" for attendees and displayed messages asking people to keep the aisles clear ahead of the animal's entrance.
Paige, a 9-foot-tall African elephant weighing approximately 4 tons, was led through the convention floor when she stopped and urinated in an aisle between the press area and state delegates. Video footage captured by reporters and attendees showed the elephant widening her stance as she relieved herself while Brooks & Dunn's "Only in America" played in the background. An onlooker could be heard exclaiming "Oh, shoot!" as the incident unfolded.
According to sources, an adult African elephant can void up to 3 gallons of urine in a single session. Convention attendees and reporters nearby appeared stunned by the occurrence, though no one was reported to have been directly hit by the urine.
The elephant had been brought to the convention as a surprise attraction for attendees. The incident drew widespread attention on social media, with multiple reporters posting video documentation of the moment.
The event also prompted animal welfare concerns regarding the circumstances under which the elephant was transported and displayed at the indoor convention venue.
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