A circus elephant named Viola recently made headlines after she escaped from her handlers and caused a bit of chaos in the city. The runaway elephant was spotted wandering through a petrol station and a casino, with a circus worker in pursuit, although her adventure was short-lived and she was soon captured and returned to her crew. Fortunately, no property damage or injuries were reported during her escapade.
Photos taken by onlookers showed Viola relaxing on a residential lawn, where she reportedly left a “souvenir.” Prior to her brief escapade, Viola was being prepared for a show at a nearby venue. However, the Performing Animal Welfare Society (PAWS) criticized the incident, stating that Viola’s escape posed a risk to both herself and the public.
This is not the first time an elephant has broken free from handlers at the Jordan World Circus, which has faced criticism from animal rights groups in the past. The group highlighted that the supplier of elephants to the circus, the Carson and Barnes Circus, has a record of violations against the Animal Welfare Act. In fact, Viola has reportedly escaped on two previous occasions, in 2010 and 2014.
It is important to note that Viola’s escape and subsequent capture have highlighted ongoing concerns about the treatment and welfare of animals in circuses. The incident has brought attention to the need for stricter regulations and oversight to ensure the well-being of performing animals.
