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Tag: Shot Elephant Returns

  • Shot Elephant Makes Controversial Return to Circus

    The elephant shot in a drive-by last year in Mississippi returned to the stage with Ringling Bros. and Barnum and Bailey on Thursday, almost exactly a year after the terrifying incident, according to WMC-TV.

    Carol the elephant, who is now 40 years old, was shot by an assailant with a single bullet that entered her right side. Doctors said a few inches in either direction would have ended her life.

    She was shot outside of BancorpSouth Arena in Tupelo in 2013. The case has never been solved, despite the $34,000 reward offered for information leading to the capture of the suspect.

    All that police know is that the suspect may have driven a light-colored SUV, but don’t have much else to go on. Seriously, who shoots an elephant?!

    “It was quite frankly an embarrassing moment for the city, but hopefully those days are behind us.” said Tupelo Mayor Jason Shelton.

    She was given a special cape on Wednesday night for her courage along with a few others who received special gifts. However, despite her heroic return, there are some who believe Carol should be retired.

    In fact almost 17,000 people have signed a petition on Change.org that, in part, states, “… if Ringling Bros circus cares about animals at all, they need to keep Carol off their tours and retire her. There are reports that she’s going to be out for several weeks, but why can’t the circus just let her enjoy life in a more natural way?

    No one can tell me that those circus tricks and shipping elephants cross-country in train cars and trucks to perform under bright lights is what’s best for Carol, can they?”

    Time will tell if Carol will continue with Ringling Brothers and Barnum and Bailey or if she will live out a quiet retirement, free from the cares of working life.

    Image via YouTube

  • Shot Elephant Returns: “Carol” Will Perform With Ringling Brothers And Barnum & Bailey Circus

    Carol, the circus elephant who was shot last year, returns to the ring in Tupelo, Miss. where the incident occurred. She will be performing with the Ringling Brothers and Barnum & Bailey Circus.

    The 40-year-old elephant was the victim of a drive-by shooting that occurred in April last year when Carol was on a tour with “The Greatest Show on Earth.” She was shot behind her ear. The elephant took off a few weeks from performing due to her injury. Carol has performed in several other shows after she recovered, but this is the first time that she will be returning back to the scene of the crime.

    According to Steve Payne, the spokesperson for the circus, Carol is in great spirits. “She’s doing great – happy to be back in Tupelo, and happy to be back performing,” he said. The Asian elephant is said to be back to 100% health. There is no evidence of the injury, except for a minor scar on her shoulder.

    According to authorities, the person responsible for the drive-by shooting has not yet been caught. However, the circus is working with local authorities to make sure that the incident does not happen again. The local law enforcement has increased security in the area.

    To date, $33,750 has been raised as a reward for anyone who can provide a tip on the identity of the shooter.

    According to Lt. Jerry Davis of the Tupelo Police, he is frustrated that the shooter has not yet been caught, but he is still hopeful that they will eventually make an arrest. He is also urging anyone to come forward, even with just a small detail regarding the shooting. “You might not think it’s that big, but it could be very helpful to us,” he said.

    Caro’s trainer and owner, Cathy Carden, says that she is excited about going back to Tupelo and showing everyone how great Carol is.

    Watch The Elephants Put On A Show

    Image via YouTube