SANTA ANA, Calif. —  A science center in Santa Ana has canceled a planned stunt to surround an elephant in a soap bubble because of intense public opposition.

Artist Fan Yang planned to set a world record on Tuesday by creating a bubble large enough to enclose a 7-foot-6 Asian elephant named Tai at the Discovery Science Center as part of the center's "Bubblefest" exhibit.

A spokeswoman says the center received more than 2,000 e-mails and 75 phone calls in opposition to the event. The animal rights group In Defense of Animals and former "Price is Right" host Bob Barker reportedly were among those who objected.

The Orange County Register says "Bubblefest" will still go on and Yang will appear, giving bubble demonstrations that don't involve large animals.