PETA slams Richie, Madden wedding elephant

Nicole Richie and Joel Madden have been criticised by animal rights groups, after pictures emerged of an elephant being brought to their wedding ceremony.

E! reports that Nicole's father Lionel Richie had arranged for the exotic animal to attend the compound as part of the festivities during their celebrations on Saturday December 11.

However, the move has caused an outcry among organisations campaigning for an end to animal cruelty.

People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals (PETA) issued a statement, saying: "We're sure she didn't know that Have Trunk Will Travel - the company that likely provided Tai the elephant, who was taken from the wild as a baby more than 40 years ago - trains its elephants with bullhooks and electric shock prods.

"We're writing to her privately to respectfully ask her to keep exotic animals off her guest lists for future celebrations."

Liz Tyson, director of The Captive Animals' Protection Society, echoed PETA's comments, telling E! News: "If, as news reports state, Nicole Richie indeed really likes elephants, then the last thing that she should do is force one of these majestic and sentient animals to perform for her amusement."

A representative for Nicole has not responded to requests for comment.