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Album  Art

There is a unique backstory behind the name of rock band 86 Bullets- It was this story of Tyke the Elephant.that inspired the Original Art I created for the band to use on their EP Agents of Absolution.

Question: How many bullets does it take to kill an elephant?

Answer: 86

Tyke was an African elephant who performed with Circus International of Honolulu, Hawaii. During a performance on August 20, 1994 she killed her trainer, Allen Campbell, and injured her groomer, Dallas Beckwith. Tyke bolted from the arena and ran through the streets of the Kakaako central business district for more than thirty minutes. Police fired 86 shots at the animal, who eventually collapsed from the wounds and died. Tyke became symbolic of circus tragedies and a symbol for animal rights. Allen Campbell's autopsy revealed that he had cocaine and alcohol in his system at the time of his death. Officials at the Denver Zoo confirmed that there were complaints of animal abuse filed against Campbell during the late 1980s, when he operated an elephant and camel ride concession in the city. The Tyke incident inspired legislation on local levels in Hawaii and abroad.

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