An advertisement seeking the services of an elephant to walk in a St Patrick's Day Parade has been strongly criticised by the animal welfare group, Wild.
The advertisement read: "Elephant and keeper. For St Patrick's Day Parade. Will pay up to £3,000". It appeared in yesterday's edition of Buy and Sell magazine.
"Proposals to have an elephant participate in the coming St Patrick's Day Parade would cause Wild concern, as the elephant would be put under severe stress while walking in the parade," said Mr Kevin Cunningham, spokesman for Wild.
When contacted by The Irish Times, the man who placed the advertisement, Mr William Bagnell, said he had received no response.
Ms Maire Claire Sweeney, executive director of the Dublin St Patrick's Day Parade organising committee, said the organisers would welcome the appearance of a papier mache elephant.