Circus elephants © Leslie Jones
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Drive-shootings are unfortunately a common enough occurrence that they are not always headline news. However investigators are puzzled by a shooting in Tupelo, Mississippi. The victim is a 39-year-old Asian elephant named Carol who works for the Ringling Bros. Circus. Carol was struck in the shoulder, but is expected to recover from her injury.
The perpetrators remain at large and the motive behind the attack on the pachyderm is unknown. Because the crime involved an endangered species, it is being treated as a federal offense under the Endangered Species Act. PETA is also offering a $5,000 reward for information leading to the conviction of those involved.
Ringling Bros. flew in a specialist veterinarian to treat Carol, and she seems to be doing well following the incident. She was walking around within minutes of having been shot. Well-wishers can sign a card for her at the Tupelo Convention & Visitors Bureau. Carol will spend several weeks convalescing in Missouri while veterinarians monitor her health.
The circus will continue its performances as originally scheduled.
Find out more about this in USA Today