AceShowbiz - The makers of "Westworld" have been blasted by Animal Defenders International officials for using live elephants on the show. Members of Animal Defenders International (ADI) have issued a statement calling on the makers, which include Jonathan Nolan and Lisa Joy, to stop using wild animals on the show after two live elephants featured in the latest episode.

"With no way to guarantee the welfare of the animals off set, we urge HBO and other studios to end their use of live animals," ADI resident Jan Creamer said. "There is no excuse for using the real thing when technology provides a realistic, humane alternative."

Officials claim they have investigated supplier Have Trunk Will Travel and have discovered "shocking" undercover scenes which show the animals allegedly "being beaten and electric shocked with stun guns" as part of their performance training behind-the-scenes.

A 51-year-old elephant Tai, who is featured on the show, appears to be crying out in the footage as she is shocked with a stun gun to make her perform.

Representatives for HBO have responded, stating that "we are reviewing the circumstances related to archival training footage, which included one of the elephants that appeared in the series." They also insisted that "none of this video was shot during the production and does not in any way reflect practices on our sets."