AppendixB:ListofCircusElephantIncidents

After the elephant named Janet broke out of the circus tent in Florida in 1992 andwassubsequently shot, an unnamed circus of icial told a PeopleMagazine reporter that suchincidentswere"terriblyrare.It'sthefirstoneIcanrecall."

Therealityisthatnegativeincidentsbetweenhumansandelephantsarequitecommon,especiallywhenyouconsiderhow fewelephants thereare in thecountry (thereareonlyabout500elephantsintheUnitedStates,today,andhalfareinzoosorsanctuaries).InthisAppendix,IlistoutnegativeincidentsI'vebeenabletodiscoverrelatedtocircuselephantsintheUnitedStatessince1800.Note, Idon'tguaranteethatthe list iscomplete,asmanyincidentswereneverreported,orthereportshavebeenlosttotime.

IncidentsFrom1800to1849

1816In1816oneofthefirstelephantsintheUS,knownasOldBett(BigBettorBetty)wasshotandkilledbyafarmerbythenameofDanielDavis.Recordsdifferastowhyhekilledtheelephant.SomeaccountssayhedidsobecauseheconsidereditsinfulforOldBetttoperformonaSunday;othersstatehekilledtheelephantbecausehewasenragedthattheelephant'sownerwaschargingpeoplelikehimaquartertoseeher,andhewasabouttolosehishome.

1826LittleBett(orBetty)wasfollowinghertraineracrossabridgeonthewayoutoftownwhenshewasshotinChepachet,RhodeIsland.Six(orseven,accountsvary)menwerefoundaccountable.

1839December31,1839,anelephantnamedColumbusattackedandkilledhiskeeper'shorse,andthenkilledthekeeper.IttoreoffdowntheroadoutsideNewOrleansinarampage,killingadraymanandhistwodonkeys.Spyingablackmansittingonafence,theelephantsmasheddownthefenceandgrabbedandkilledtheman.Themanwasaslave,soColumbus'ownerwascompelledtopaytheslaveowner$1,800fortheelephant'sactions.Columbuswassuccessfullycaughtafterithadrampagedforfourhours.Itdiedin1854whenitfellthroughabridge.DailyAltaCalifornia,1870.

1849AccordingtoaSacramentoDailyUnionarticlefrom1892,anelephantnamedHannibalstruckandkilledamanwhohadgiventheelephantwater.

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1849ThesameSacramentoDailyUnionarticlementionedthatanelephantnamedColumbuskilledhiskeeper,aswellastwocamels,andallama.NoindicationifthiswasthesameColumbusmentionedearlier.

Incidentsfrom1850to1899

Onecanseetheimpactofincreasingnumbersofcircuselephantsinthecountryinthelatterpartofthe1800s.Moreelephantsequatetosigni icantlymorenegativeincidentsbetweenpeopleandpachyderms.

1850Pizarro,withtheRaymond&WaringsMenagerie,Museum,andCircusUnitedkilledhiskeeper,twocamels,andthenravagedthecountryside.However,otherreportshavePizarrodyingin1847,sothereissomeconfusionaboutwhen(andif)thiseventhappened.Consideringthereferencetotwocamels,thiscouldbethesameincidentwiththeelephantnamedColumbus,in1849.

1854InJuneof1854,thesameHannibalfromthe1849incidentbrokefreeofamenagerie,attackingseveralhorsedrawncarriages,killingthehorses,andbadlyinjuringseveralmen.FromaNewYorkTimesstoryabouttheevent,horsesweretheprimarytargetoftheelephant—thepeoplewerehurtonlybecausetheywereintheway.Eventually,Hannibaltiredandwasrecaptured.TheSacramentoDailyUnion,1892.

1856WhiletravelingfromPhiladelphiatothesouthernUSin1856,anelephantwaslostoverboardfromthesteamershipThomasSwanasthecraftwastossedaboutbyastorm.Elephantsweretransportedondeckinthosedays.NewYorkTimes,January16,1856.

(Today,elephantsarestilltransportedonshipdecks,butincontainers.TheelephantsthatTomRiderworkedwithinEuropeweretransportedfromtheUSontheship'sdeck.)

1862In1862,aVan-Amburgh&CoelephantnamedHannibal(possiblythesamefromtheearlierescapade),killeda"partiallyderanged"manwhoirritatedtheelephant(the'partiallyderanged'mayberedundant,sinceanyoneirritatinganelephanthastobederanged).Theelephant'sownersawedofftheelephant'stuskstopreventhimfromfurtherinjuringotherpeople.TheRichmondTimesDispatch,October18,1962.

1867HyattFrostoftheVanAmburghMenagerierecountedafightbetweenanelephantnamedTippoSahibandhishandlersthathappenedtheweekbefore.Theelephantbecameaggressivewhenanewhandlerwasemployed.Thehandlergrabbednineassistants,forcedTippotothegroundusingropes,andbeattheelephantmercilesslyuntilitwassubjugated.Duringthebeating,adogthatwasacompaniontoTippoattackedthe

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handlerandhadtobeforciblyremovedfromtheroom.NewYorkTimes,November11,1867.

1867Romeokilledhishandler,William"CanadaBill"Williams,intheForepaughcircuswinterquarters."Mr.Williams,uptothetimeofhisdeath,hadentirecontroloftheanimal",accordingtoanarticleinthe1868DailyAltaCalifornia.

Romeohadquiteareputation.In1865,hebattereddownthebuildinginwhichhewasheldandterrorizedthecommunityuntilamarksmanshottheelephantinthelefteye.Romeosurvived,tothedetrimentofWilliamWilliams.Andhewasn'tfinished,either.

1869Forepaugh'sRomeowasagaininvolvedinaviolentincident,thistimeinIndiana.AfemaleelephantescapedherboundsandjoinedRomeowherehewaschained.Whenthehandlersattemptedtoremovethefemale,Romeopickedoneofthemupandthrewhimseveralfeet.Healsocrushedadogthatranathim.Hishandler,TomWilliams,shotRomeo'strunkwithbuckshot.Whiletheelephantwasreactinginpain,Williamsmanagedtowrapchainsaroundhisankles.HeandassistantsyankedonthechainsuntilRomeowaslaidflat.TheytheybeatRomeowithclubs8hours,"untilRomeocried,Hold,enough!",accordingtotheDailyAltaCalifornia,December25,1869.

OneisnotsurprisedthatRomeoisrumoredtohavekilledsevenelephanthandlers.

1871AnotherDailyAltaCalifornianewspaperarticlerecountsthetaleofwhenJohnRobinson'selephant,OldEmperor,wassetuponbyindiansfromanearbyvillage.Inpainfromseveralarrowwounds,OldEmperordecimatedthevillageuntiltheelephantwasrescuedbythecircuspeople.Accordingtothearticle,OldEmporerwastakenbyagroupofyoungbraveswantingtocreateasensationintheirvillage.Icouldn'tverifythetruthofthestory,thoughitisknownthatRobinsondidhaveanelephantwiththisnamein1871.

1874InacircusshowinVirginiaCity,aminertossedanelephantachewoftobacco.Theelephantgrabbedattheman,tearinghisclothes,butnotcausinghimdirectinjury.DailyAltaCalifornia,1874.

1875Aprocessionincludingtwoelephantsfrightenedseveralhorsespullingcarriagesalongtheroad,causingseveralpeopletobeinjuredanddamagingvariouscartsandwagons.SacramentoDailyRecord,May14,1875.

1875P.T.Barnum'selephantBetseybrokeoutofherquartersinBridgeport,Connecticut,andattackedatigerinitscage.Thetigerescapedandmanagedtoavoidtheelephant.Betseythenbrokeoutofthebuildingandwondereddowntotherailroaddepot,whereshetriedtoknockatrainengineover—onlygivingupwhensheburnedhertrunk.Herkeeperstriedtogethertoreturntoherquarters,butsheknockedoneofthemover.Sheliftedoneofthecircusboysinhertrunk,butthengentlylethimgoagain.Finally,anentirecrewofcircusworkerssurroundedher,beatingherwithclubsandpokingherwith

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pitchforksuntiltheycouldgethertethered.DailyAltaCalifornia,December5,1875.

1878SeveralelephantsintheRobinsonCircusgotintoafightwhilecrossingariver.Oneelephant,Chief,threwanother,Bismarck,overabridge.Bismarckwassavedfromdrowningwiththehelpofseveralcircuspeopleandanotherelephant.NewYorkTimes,May4,1878.

Elephantsareexcellentswimmers,whichmakesmewonderwhetherBismarckwassaved,orjustre-captured.

1879Robinson'sChiefisatitagain,thistimekillinghiskeeper,JohnKing.LosAngelesHerald,1880.

1880Chiefisn'tfinished.RinglingBrothersmasteroftransportation,TomSullivan,enteredChief'senclosurewhiledrunkandproddedChiefwithabullhook.AnenragedChiefpickedSullivanup,squeezedhimwithhistrunk,andthendroppedhislimp,deadbody.NewYorkTimes,December26,1880.

1881WillisWilson,a"colored"manaccordingtonewspaperaccounts,wasattackedbyanelephantonacircustraininVirginia.Thoughseverelyinjured,hewasn'ttakenformedicalhelpuntilthetrainreacheditsfinaldestination.NewYorkTimes,November16,1881.

1882FourelephantsescapedtheBarnumCircus,injuringseveralpeopleandcausinggeneralhavoc."PatrickRyanandhiswifewereknockeddownbyoneoftheelephants.Theformerwasprobablyfatallyinjured."NewYorkTimes,August3,1882.

1883Pilot,aBarnumandBaileyelephant,becamesodifficulttoworkwiththatthecircusownersdecidedonanunusualcourse:tohavehimkilled.Typically,elephantsweren'tdestroyedwhentheykilledpeople,becausetheyweresovaluable.

However,Pilothadalongcareerofkillingandinjuringkeepers,aswellastheoccasionaldogthatventuredtooclose.Onthisdayin1883,Pilotattackedanotherelephant,andthenwouldn'tbesubdued—evenattackingahandlerwhocouldnormallyworkwithhim.Pilotwasshotwithagunthatfireda48caliberball.Hediedafterthreeshots.NewYorkTimes,April6,1883.

1883Queen,fromtheBarnumcircus,killedHarryPacker,aBarnumcircusemployee."Theelephantwasstandingbesideoneofthecircuswagons,andPackerundertooktopassbetweenherandthewagon.Ashedidso,thebruteleanedovertowardthewagonsoheavilyastonearlyupsetit.ThepressurebrokeseveralofPacker'sribsandflattenedhimalmostasthinasaboard."NewYorkTimesarticle,August28,1883.

1885ABarnumelephant,Albert,attackedacircushelper,JamesSweeney,strikingthe

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manwithitstusksandfeet,andthrowinghimtotheground.AfterSweeneydied,Albertwastakentoaravine,hisheartandbrainmarkedwithchalk,andthirty-threemembersoftheKeeneLightGuardshothim.NewYorkTimes,July21,1885.

1885TheelephantEmpressattackedJohnKimberline,20yearsofage,ashetriedtomakeabedofhayunderalioncageinthetentwhereshewaschained.EmpressstealthilyapproachedKimberline,grabbedhimandthrewhimviolentlyagainstthetentpole.Accordingtonewspaperaccounts,thisisthethirdpersonshehadkilledthatseason.NewYorkTimes,September1,1885.

1885ThejewelofP.T.Barnum'scircus,Jumbo,isaccidentallykilledbyatrainduringoff-loading.Whenhistrainerrealizedafreighttrainwasfastapproachingtheelephant,heyelledatJumbotorun.Jumboran,butinhispanicmissedafenceopening.Whenheturnedbacktogothroughit,heranstraightintothetrain.Hediedwithinthehour.Thetrainenginewasalsoheavilydamaged.NewYorkTimes,September17,1885.

1885InOctober,Empressisatitagain,attackingandkillingacircusnightwatchmanattheForepaughcircuswinterquarters.ThestoriesnotethatEmpresswouldnevergiveanyindicationofdangerousbehaviorbeforeattacking.Shewouldbeseeminglydocile,andthensuddenlyattack.

Thereistalkofhavingherputtodeath,butinthosedays,whatusuallyhappenedistheelephantisrenamedandsoldtoanothercircus.Empresschangedhandsratherfrequently,untilshewaseventuallysoldtotheHarrisNicklePlateShow,andrenamedGypsy.We'llmeetGypsyagain,laterinthissection.NewYorkTimes,October12,1885.

1885Alionkilleditstrainerandescapeditscage.Itenteredtheelephanthouse,andattackedanelephantnamedBolivar.Theelephantcrushedtheliontodeath.NewYorkTimes,December10,1885.

1886Thoughnotexactlyacircusincident,anelephantnamedAlva,intheplay"AroundtheWorldinEightyDays",grabbedhishandlerafteraperformanceandslammedhimtotheground.Thehandler,Hazelton,diedanhourlater.DailyAltaCalifornia,October20,1886.

1887InMarch,anelephanttosseda"Mexicanpony"againstaleopard'scage.Theleopardbrokethroughitscage,andattackedthepony.Theleopardthenattackedtheelephantbutwas"worsted",accordingtothenewsstory.Astheleopardsatandnursedaninjuredpaw,it'stailstuckoutunderthedoorofthebuilding.Peoplegrabbedthetail,holdingtheleopardinplaceuntilitcouldbere-caged.Thestorydoesn'tnotewhethertheponysurvived.NewYorkTimes,March9,1887.

1887Empressseverelyinjuresanotherkeeper,EugeneMordinez,ashetriedtocalmher.DailyAltaCalifornia,July22,1887.

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1887ALosAngelesHeraldstorycoversacircusappearingintown.AmongtheanimalsinthecircusmenagerieisPrince,reportedtohavekilledfourteenmen,andbeover140yearsold.OneofthechallengesIfacedputtingthislisttogetherwassiftingthroughtheelephantstories—toseparatetherealfromthehypethatwasahallmarkofcircuspromotioninthe1800s.Weknowtheelephantwasnot140yearsold,butitwasn'tunknownforanelephanttohavekilledseveralkeepers.Considerthisstoryhype,withapossibilityoffact.LosAngelesHerald,October10,1887.

1887Firehasalwaysbeenthebaneofcircuses.OnNovember20,1887,themainbuildingofBarnum'swinterquartercaughtfire,killingmanyoftheanimalstrappedinside."Sixoftheelephantswereterriblyburned.Greatpiecesoffleshfellfromtheirsides,andtheirbloodspatteredthegroundastheyran."NewYorkTimes,November20,1887,

1888AnelephantnamedZip,ownedbytheShelbyCircus,killedherhandlerinPennsylvania.TheElephantDatabase.

1888Forepaugh'sTipkilledananimalhandler,JohnPoffy,whenPoffywastryingtounloadTipfromarailcar.SomepeoplebythetrainwereteasingTip,givinghimapplesspikedwithpepperandtobacco.Theseactionsangeredtheelephant,whothengoredandtrampledPoffy.SacramentoDailyUnion,September26,1888.

1889InDecember,againinBarnum'scircus,oneelephantattackedandkilleditskeeper,whileanotherslippedandfellontopofanotherworker.Fromthestory,itseemsthatthesecondworkersurvived.NewYorkTimes,December4,1889.

1890AForepaughCircuselephantnamedColumbiafelloutofitstraincarandwashitbyafreighttrain.Itwasbadlyhurt,butthecircusdidn'tseekmedicalhelpforituntilalmostamonthlater.Bythattimeitwastoolate.NewYorkTimes,June27,1890.

1890AccordingtoanotherNewYorkTimesstory,anotherForepaughcircuselephantalsoescapedatrainandwaswonderingthetracks,causingdelaytoseveraltrains.However,thisstorysaidtheelephantwasre-captured.Itcouldbethatmultipleelephantshadescapedatthesametime.Multipleescapedelephantswasn'tunheardofforForepaugh.NewYorkTimes,May25,1890.

1891AdrunkmanwentuptoaForepaughelephantandtriedtopoorwhiskyintohistrunk.Theelephant,Tip,"resentedthisinvitationtodrink,andinaboutfivesecondswaswipingthegroundwithhistormentor."ThedrunkwasrescuedbycircusworkerswhonotifiedForepaughoftheevent.Forepaugh,knowingthatthetownwouldprobablydelaythecircusiftheyreportedtheincident,grabbedthemanandtookhimonthetrainwiththecircus.Accordingtonewspaperstory,whenthemanawoke...

Forepaughsentforhimandtoldhiminhischoicevocabularyofadjectivesthathewasanice

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mantohireouttotheshowandthengetdrunkand ightwiththeelephantsthe irstnight.'Youaredischargedsir!Youaredischarged!'theoldmanthundered,andthefellowsneakedaway,utterlycollapsed.

SanFranciscoCall,July6,1891

1891InOnJuly6,1891,anelephantinamenageriegivingchildrenrideswasfrightenedbyahotairballoon,andcrushedayoungchildtodeath.NewYorkTimes,July6,1891.

1892AnelephantintheWallaceBrotherscircuskilledhiskeeper,JoeAnderson.AccordingtotheLosAngelesHerald,"Theanimalbecameuglyandchasedthewholepoliceforceandanexcitedgroupofcitizens."That'sthelaststoryonthisparticularelephant.Therewasneveranyfollow-upstoryaboutitbeingcapturedorkilled.Forallweknow,somedaysomehikerisgoingtostumbleacrosselephantsboneswhileexploringanearbywildernessarea.LosAngelesHerald,June3,1892.

1892Charley,aWashburncircuselephant,brokeloosewhilebeingtakentothetrain,andescapedintoanearbyswamp.Thenextdayhewasre-captured,butthenbrokeawayagain.Hechargedateamofhorses,killedacow,andthenheadedbackintothetrees.Insectseventuallydrovehimdirectlyintotheswampwaters,wherethecircusmenlefthim.Thestorynotesthattheoptionsconsideredatthetimewerere-capturingCharley,feedinghimopiumlacedoats,orgettingthemilitiaouttoshoothim.NewYorkTimes,July13,1892.

1893Afterthreedaysoffrenziedbehavior,Ziptheelephantdies.Thoughunusualforthetimes,anecropsywasperformed,andafourfootlongironchainwasfoundinZip'sstomach.LosAngelesHerald,January5,1893.

1893ThirtyBarnum&Baileyelephantsstampededwhilebeingunloadedatthecircuswinterheadquarters.Noonewashurt,andonlyminorstructuraldamageoccurred.AstatueofP.T.Barnumwasknockedaboutabitbutwasn'tharmed.Acrowdof"menandboys",cometowatchtheunloading,fledinterror.NewYorkTimes,May29,1893.

1895Ahorsehitchedtoacarriagewasspookedbyapassingprocessionofelephants.Itranintoacrowdofpeople,injuringseveral,andkillingtwopeople,includingathreeyearoldchild.NewYorkTimes,March23,1895.

1895TheHarrisNickelPlateCircuselephantGypsy(listedearlierunderthenameofEmpress,andalsoknownasGipsyandGyp),cameclosetokillinghertrainer(evidentlyshehadkilledsixtrainers,earlier).ThetrainerfellduringaroutineandGypsyaccidentallysteppedonhim.However,"feelingbonesbreaking"supposedlytriggeredGypsyintoafrenziedattempttofinishthejob.Accordingtothepaper,thetrainerremarked,"Isuppose,whenIgetwell,IwillhavetoSubdueheranew,andshowheragainthatIammaster."Readingthenextentrydemonstrateshowwellthisplanworked.NewYork

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Times,September1,1895.

1896Gypsyreactedtobeingjabbedwithanironhookbykillingthekeeper,amanwhowasnormallyresponsibleforthelions.Whenthedeadkeeper'sbodywasmovedintoabuilding,shetoredownawalltryingtogetatit.Eventuallythecircuspeoplecalmedherdownandmovedherintoabarn,butwhenthedoorsclosed,sheknockedthedoorsdown.Theelephant"hadherownwayforaboutfourhours",beforebeingrecaptured.TheSanFranciscoCall,March26,1896.

1896Afterkillingyetanotherkeeper,theowneroftheHarrisNicklePlateCircusdecidedtohaveGypsyelectrocuted."She'llbemorevalueassoap",hestates.However,apermitisdeniedforapublicexecution.AspenTribune,NewYorkTimes,andSacramentoDailyUnion,December,1896.

1897SeveralcarsfortheForepaugh&Sellscircusarederailed,includingtwocarsloadedwithelephants.Thenewspaperarticledidn'tmentionifanyoftheelephantswereinjured.NewYorkTimes,September1,1897.

1897Syd,aRobinsonandFranklinBros.circuselephant,grabbedhiskeeperandtossedhimtwentyfeet.WhenthemasterofanimalstriedtocontrolSyd,theelephantknockedhimdown.TheanimalhandlersthendecidedtheywouldsubdueSyd,firstbychaininghimtotheground,andthenhittinghimwithcudgels,andstabbinghimwithpitchforks.OneofthepitchforkswentthroughSyd'sear,andhepulleditloose,himself,andthrewitaway.WhenSydrefusedtobesubdued,theylaidstrawunderhimandsethimafire.Theyburnedhimuntil"greatsheetsofhisskinfelloff".Eventuallytheyputthefireout,coveredhimwithVaselineandvowedthatifhekilledanothermanhewouldbekilled.SanFranciscoCall,October19,1897.

(Ican'tfindanythingmoreonSyd,butdidlocateaSid,mentionedinthenextsection.)

1998AForepaugh&Sellscircusderailsyetagain,andyetagain,carscontainingelephantswereknockedover.Severalelephantswereinjured,butnonewerekilled.NewYorkTimes,September27,1898.

1899AkeeperintheLemenBrotherscircus,FrankFisher,returnedtothetentdrunkandattemptedtogettheelephant,Rajah,toperform.HehuggedRajah,andtoldhimtoopenhismouth.Rajahcrushedthekeepertodeath.NewspaperaccountsstatedthatFisherwasRajah'sninthvictim.LosAngelesHerald,April10,1899.

1899AWilliamLeggettwaskilledbyanelephantoftheGaskill'sMidwayCompany.LeggetthadhitthesameelephantwithahammerseveralweekspriortoLeggettbeingkilled,withtheimplicationbeinganelephantneverforgets.NewYorkTimes,October15,1899.

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1899JohnMyerswiththeHagenbackMenagerie,ishavingabadweek.Oneday,hishandwasbitbyaleopard.Thenextday,oneoftheelephantspickedhimupandhurledhimagainstawall,seriouslyinjuringhim.NewYorkTimes,December16,1899.

1899WellknownelephanttrainerM.J.Meagher,alsoknownasPatsyForepaugh,waskilledbyanelephant,Sid,whenMeagherpokedtheelephantwithastick.Sidhurledthetrainertotheground,andthenfellonhim,piercingMeagherwithhistusks.NewYorkTimes,December21,1899.

Incidentsfrom1900-1950

Elephantswere rarely put downwhen killing handlers in the 1800s because the animalsweresocostly.Handlerswereusuallyeasiertoreplace.

Duringthelasttwelvemonthsatleastadozenelephanttrainershavebeenkilled—morethanhavebeenkilledintenyearsprevious.

LosAngelesHerald,March21,1900

Thisstatechangedinthe1900s.

1900Dick,adancingelephantintheForepaugh&Sellscircus,wasstrangledtodeathwhenropeswereputaroundhisneckandthenpulledbytwootherelephants,inanattempttogethimtomove."Itwasthoughtthatifhewerepartiallystrangled,hewouldgivein."NewYorkTimes,April23,1900.

1900Sport,anelephantintheHagenbackshow,iskilledbecauseofinjurieshereceivedafewweekspriorduringatrainwreck.Hebackedagainstthetraincardoor,itbrokeandhefellthrough.Hewasleftpartiallyparalyzedbytheaccident.To"euthanize"Sport,hewashangedbyachainwrappedaroundhisneckthatwasliftedbyaconstructionderrick.NewYorkTimes,June8,1900.

1901BigCharleykilledelephantkeeperHenryHuffmaninPeru,Indiana.BigCharleygrabbedHuffmanwhilethekeeperwasbathingtheelephantinanearbyriver.BigCharleythenheldHuffmanunderhisfootinthewater.AfterkillingHuffman,BigCharleytoreaboutanearbyfielduntilsomeoneloadedappleswithstrychnineandtossedthemtoheelephant.Anhourlater,BigCharleycollapsedinagonyandwasshot.SanFranciscoCall,April26,1901.

1901Lightningstruckacircustent,killinganelephant,andinjuringotheranimals.NewYorkTimes,June29,1901.

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1902AForepaugh&SellselephantnamedTops(Topsie)killedoneofherhandlers,JosephBlunt,wheninsteadofshakingherofferedtrunkinthemorningaswascustomary,heshovedabeerglassintoit.TopsthengrabbedBlunt,knockedhimtotheground,andcrushedhimtodeath.SanFranciscoCall,May8,1902.

TheNewYorkTimeshadadifferenttakeonBlunt'sdeath.AccordingtoanarticlepublishedMay29,1902,Blunt(theNewYorkTimesused"Blount")wasjustahanger-on,notanemployee,whogotdrunk,snuckintothetentwhereTopswassecuredandstartedtoteasetheelephant.Enraged,theelephantgrabbedtheman,andkilledhim.

1902ThoughhappeninginFrance,aRinglingBrotherselephantbrokeitschainsatarailwayandtriedtokillitskeeper."Twohundredmentuggedattheropewhichstrangledtheelephant."SanFranciscoCall,June13,1902.

1902AnelephantonexhibitionatanElks'carnival,escapedandbrokeintothehomeofacandymanufacturer.Theelephanttossedthebedholdingtwochildrenandtheirmother,badlybruisingonechildandseverelyinjuringthemother.Itwasthensubduedbyitskeeper.SanFranciscoCall,September23,1902.

1902TheelephantGypsy(Empress),whokilledatleastfivekeepersinthe1800s,killedJames"JimmytheBum"O'RourkeoutsideofValdosta,Georgia.TherearetwodifferentaccountsoftheeventssurroundingGypsy'sactionsthatday.OneaccountintheNewYorkTimeshaditshehadbeenthroughatrainwreckearlierintheday,andremainedagitatedontherelieftrain.Herkeeperenteredthecartoquiether,butwaskilled,instantly.Anotheraccount,detailedinaLowndesCountyHistoricalSocietynewsletters,statedthatGypsyandherkeeperhadhelpedtoteardownthetentsafterthefinalshowinginValdostaandwerewalkingbacktothetrain.Later,Gypsywasfoundwonderingalone,andherkeeperwasfounddead—crushedtodeath.Duringthekilling,Gypsy'stuskwasbrokenoffatthebase,thepainofwhichdroveanalreadytemperamentalelephant,mad.

Regardlessoftheeventsleadinguptotheend,Gypsyrampagedthroughoutthenight,hurtingseveralcircuspeopletryingtore-captureher,andwakingthetownspeople.Eventually,thetowncitizenscorneredherinthefairgroundswheretheChiefofPolice,CalvinDampier,shotherwithahighpoweredrifle.LowndesCountyHistoricalSocietyandMuseum,http://valdostamuseum.com/exhibitions/online-exhibits-2/gypsy-the-elephant/

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FigureB-1.Gypsyandherkiller

1902ABarnum&BaileyelephantnamedMandarinbecameunmanageableandthecircusownersdecidedtohavehimkilled.Athickcablewastiedaroundhisneck,attachedtoawinch,andtighteneduntilMandarinstrangledtodeath.Hisbodywasthenweigheddownwithchains,hauledouttothesea,andsunk.SanFranciscoCall,November9,1902.

1903Inoneofthemorefamouselephantexecutionsofalltime,aForepaughelephantnamedTopsyiscondemnedtopublicelectrocutionbynoneotherthanThomasEdison.Edisonwantedtofilmtheeventtodemonstratehow'unsafe'alternatecurrentwascomparedtohisowndirectcurrenttechnology.Topsywascondemnedbecauseshehadkilledthreemeninthreeyears.AcopyofthefilmcanbeseenattheWikipediapageaboutTopsy,athttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Topsy_(elephant).

1903AliesKaldywastransportingtwocamelsandanelephanttotheJabourcircus,whenhewascrushedtodeathbytheelephant.LosAngelesHerald,May26,1903.

1903Amajortrainwreckclaimsthelivesof23circusperformers,aswellasone

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elephantandtwocamels,fromtheWallaceBros.circus.SanFranciscoCall,August8,1903.

1904AnelephantinashowinSt.Paul,MinnesotainJanuary,attackedhiskeeper,ConradCastens,mostlikelyinjuringhimfatally.Thosecaringfortheelephantbelieveitwasmaddenedbecausethecoldhadfrozeitsearsandtrunk.LosAngelesHerald,January25,1904.

1904ACampbellBrotherscircustraincaughtfire,burningtodeaththreeelephants,fourcamels,twobears,threewaterbuffaloes,acageofmonkeys,andseveralhorses.NewYorkTimes,May3,1904.

1907AForepaughelephant,Mac,protecteditsyoungerelephantfriendfromatrainfire,andwasbadlyburned."ShortlyafterthecircustrainleftPoughkeepsieagreattrumpetingwasheard.Thetrainwasstopped,anditwasfoundthatthecarcontainingMacandhismatewasfilledwithflames.Whenthedoorwasopeneditwasseenthatthehayusedforbeddingwasonfire.Macwasstandingoverhismate,stampingontheburninghayandtryingtothrashouttheflameswithhistrunk."NewYorkTimes,August1,1907.

1907Ahorsewassofrightenedbyaparadeofelephants,itdroppeddeadinthestreet.NewYorkTimes,August23,1907.

1908AgroupofelephantsfromtheSells-FlotocircusarestartledbyanexplosionatanearbyStandardOilrefinery.TheyranthroughthecommunityofRiverside,killinganEllaGibbs,injuringothers,andsmashinganinnandseveralotherbuildings.ImperialValleyPress,1908.

1909Tom(alsoknownasTom-Tom),anelephantinthewinterquartersofanunidentifiedcircus,killedhiskeeper,CharlesBellew.Hethenranthroughthecircuspark,knockingoverwagonsanduprootingtreesuntilshottodeath.SanFranciscoCall,April9,1901.

1910TwentyelephantsintheRinglingBrotherscircusstampededduringaringsideparadewhenoneoftheelephantstookoffafterthecircushorsesandriders.Thecrowdof7000atthecircuspanicked,andseveralpeoplewerehurtwhentheytriedtorushforsafety.

Thisisthefirstinstancewhereweseecircusesactivelyworktodownplaysuchevents.

"Iamusuallykeenfornewspaperspace",saidPressAgentGuySteeley,"butinthiscaseIcan'tseeanythingdoing.Reallyitwasonlyatri lingincident.Thegirlthatthoughtshehadhurtherchestmerelyhadlostherbreath.TheelephantBilly,didnotrunamuck,buthishoodslippedoverhiseyessothathecouldnotseewherehewasgoing.Itwasalloverinaminuteortwo.

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"Yes,nowthatyoumentionit,someofthelightfencewastornawaywhereBillybumpedintoit,butI'msurehedidn'tmeanto.He'stoowelleducated".

TheChicagoTribune,April10,1910

1910Rajahknocksdownhiskeeper,TonyNustano,andthentrampleshim.Thenewspaperarticlenotesthatit'sdoubtfulNustanowillsurvive.LosAngelesHerald,May12,1910.

1910GypsyQueenkillsherkeeper,RobertSchiel,October20.OnNovember26,she'sfedpotassiumCyanide,andkilled.LosAngelesHerald,November27,1910.

1912Anelephant,supposedlymaddenedbylackofwater,brokeoutofitschainsatawildwestshownearChicagoandranwildthroughthesuburbswheretheshowwastakingplace.Ittreedpolicesenttocontainit,smashedfences,andoverturnedacoupleofsmallbuildings.Itwaseventuallyrecapturedbythecircuspeople.August21,1912.

(Hopefullytheyfinallygaveitsomewater.)

1916"MurderousMary",anelephantintheSparks'circus,killedherhandler,WalterEldridge.Thecircusemployeesstatedhewastheeighthmanshehadkilled.Authoritiesorderedherexecuted,sothecircusownerwrappedchainsaroundherneck,andhangedherfromaconstructionderrick.

Mary'sdeathhasbeendocumentedinnumerouspublications,includinganinfamousphotographsupposedlyshowingherhanging.However,theauthenticityofthephotoisinmuchdoubt.

1920ARinglingBrothersandBarnum&Baileycircuselephant,Sanchen,stepsonhertrainerwhilelearninganewtrick.Theman,CharlesHerbert,wasseriouslyhurtand"there'sdoubthe'llsurvive".NewYorkTimes,March24,1920.

1922Anelephant,frightenedbybarkingdogs,breaksawayfromacircustrainandtearsdownfencesandoverturnscarsinNorthCarolina.NewYorkTimes,October11,1922.

1924AfireattheRinglingBrotherscircuswinterheadquarterskillsalarge,blackox,andseriouslyfrightensbothelephantsandhorses,butnonewerehurt.NewYorkTimes,February3,1924.

1927AtraincrashedintotheHagenback-Wallacecircuselephantherdastheywerebeingmoved.Oneriderwascrushedunderoneoftheelephantsknockedtotheground,whilethreeotherstossedtheirridersandstampededthroughthestreets.Atleastfourothercircusemployeeswereseriouslyhurt,andoneoftheelephantsdied.ThecircuswasonitswaytoamemorialfortheHammond,Indianatrainwreckof1918thatkilledmanycircuspeople.NewYorkTimes,July11,1927.

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1929AnelephantbrokeloosefromtheChristyBrotherscircuswinterquartersanddestroyedseveralfencesbeforeadogbarkingatafarmhouseseemedtocalmitdown.NewYorkTimes,March29,1929.

1929BlackDiamond,aAlG.Barnescircuselephant,knockeddownhisformertrainerandgrabbedhisnewemployer,EvaDonohoe,fatallyinjuringher.ThedecisionwasmadetokillBlackDiamondsince,itwasrumored,Mrs.Donohoewasnothisfirstkill.Hewastakenoutintoafieldandshotbetween50and100timesbeforehefinallydied.NewYorkTimes,October14,1929,andtheTexasObserver,October1,2012.

1932Anelephanttrainergaveababyelephantbootlegwhiskey,for"colic",andthebabysubsequentlyfellandbrokeherleg.Shootingherwas"outofthequestion"becausehervalue"wastoohigh".Theysettheleg.NewYorkTimes,April7,1932.

1935Prince,anAlG.Barnescircuselephant,goredandkilledanelephanttrainerpreparingagroupoftheelephantsforamovie.NewYorkTimes,May22,1935.

1935ElephantsintheAtterburyBrothersshowcircusstampede,causinginjurytoseveralpeople,andkillinganineyearoldgirl.OneoftheelephantsnamedVirginia,wasfrightenedbyalargedogthatsnappedather,andcausedhertochargethroughthetentbeforeshewasfinallysubdued.NewYorkTimes,June7,1935.

(Whatwasespeciallyinterestingaboutthisstorywasthenotethattheelephanttrainerwasbeingheldforapossiblechargeofsecond-degreemanslaughter.ThisisonlythesecondinstanceIknowwherecircuspeoplewereactuallychargedacrimewhenoneoftheirelephantshurtorkilledsomeone.Thesecondoneisdetailedtowardstheendofthelisting.)

1936Major,thedominateelephantintheColeBrothers-ClydeBeattycircus,attackedandseriouslyinjuredtheleadelephanttrainerduringatrainingsession.Afewweekslater,Majorisshotbycircusemployees.NewYorkTimes,January19,1936.

1936Tribly,aoneeyedelephantownedbyRinglingBrothersandBarnum&Baileycircus,killedacircusworkerwhenhefrightenedheroutofasoundsleep.NewYorkTimes,October9,1936.

1936ColeBrothers-ClydeBeattyelephantJumbo2ndwasgivenbottlesofsodabytrainers.Theelephantdroppedone,breakingtheglass.Itthenatetheglass,anddiedashorttimelater.NewYorkTimes,November27,1936.

1937Rosie,aWorksProjectAdministration(WPA)circuselephant,escapedfromthevacantstorewhereshewashoused,andwalkedthroughBrooklyntowardsthegroundswheretheRinglingBrotherscircuswasheld.RosiewasaformerRinglingBrotherselephant,andconjecturewas,shemissedheroldherd.

15

(CircuseswerehavingagreatdealofdifficultyduringtheDepression.RinglingBrothersandBarnum&Baileywasnoexception;ayearlater,itwillaskworkerstotakea25%cutinpay.CircusunemploymentledtotheWorksProjectAdministration(WPA)circus,theonlystateruncircusintheUS.)

1938Mabel,fromtheHagenbeck-Wallacecircus,killedatrainer,GeorgePage.Thetrainer"strucktheelephantwithabull-hookandthebeastretaliatedbybuttinghimintothedoorofafeedtruck."NewYorkTimes,July4,1938.

1938ElephantsfromtheAlG.Barnescircus,asubsidiaryofRinglingBrothers,drovetwoelephantsthroughthepicketlineofworkersonstrike."Thecircusdroveapairofelephantsthroughthestreet,thesheriffsaid,inwhathetermedanefforttobreakupapicketlineofanestimated1,000Janesvilleunionmembersandsympathizers."ChicagoDailyTribute,July20,1938.

1939ARussellBrotherscircusemployeeandelephantwerekilledinanaccident,andoneelephant,Elsie,escapedforsometimeintheNorthernVirginiacountryside.NewYorkTimes,August7,1939.

1940OnFebruary20,afirebrokeoutinthewinterquartersoftheColeBrotherscircus."Sixlions,twotigers,andtwoleopards,allregardedassodangerousthattheycouldnotbereleased,burnedtodeathintheirbarredenclosures."Amongtheotheranimalslostwasanelephantthatcouldnotberescuedbeforethefirereachedit.NewYorkTimes,February21,1940.

1941EarlyNovemberinSouthCarolina,elevenelephantsintheRinglingBrothersandBarnum&Baileycircusdieundermysteriouscircumstances.Theelephantsaresupposedlypoisonedwitharsenic,andacircusworkerisinitiallyarrestedandchargedwiththeirdeaths.He'seventuallycleared.

Later,peoplespeculatedthattheelephantswerepoisonedbyplantgrowthcontaminatedbyachemicalfactorynextdoortowheretheelephantswerehousedinapreviouslocation.However,nothingwaseverprovenandthecausewasneverdetermined.November,1941.NumerouspublicationsincludingtheNewYorkTimesandtheChicagoTribune.

1942ThemenagerietentoftheRinglingBrothersandBarnum&BaileyCircuscaughtonfire,killing45animals,includingfourelephants."Infifteenminutesthetenthadburned,cageswerecharred,thehowlingofcaged'cats'hadheraldedtheirfiercedeath,andtheroutofelephants,zebras,andcamelshadsubsidedtoatensequiet."NewYorkTimes,August5,1942.

1943AnastylittleboysiccedhisdogonGilbertBrotherselephantsheadingtothetrain,causingastampedethroughthestreetsofNewark,NewJersey.Ittookseveralhoursto

16

finallycalmtheelephants,andreturnthemtothetrain.Luckily,noonewashurtorkilled.Nowordinthearticlewhetherthelittlebratwaspunished.NewYorkTimes,June7,1943.

1943OldPitt,lastsurvivingelephantfromRobinson'sGreatCombinationShow,wasstruckandkilledbylightninginMontanawhilepartoftheColeBrothersCircus.TheElephantDatabase,August7,1934.

1944Pearl,aformerRinglingBrotherscircuselephant,wasledintoagravedugforherandthenshot.Shehadhurtherfoottwoyearsearlier,anditneverhealedproperly.NewYorkTimes,March4,1944.

1947AyoungelephantwiththeRinglingBrotherscircusgrabbedanelderlywomanastheyparadedpast,causingthewomantobethrowntotheground.NewYorkTimes,July4,1947.

1947A79yearoldHamidMortoncircusemployeewasfoundtrampledtodeathinatraincarcontainingthreeelephants.NewYorkTimes,November7,1947.

1948AtrainerfortheRinglingBrotherscircus,HugoSchmidt,ischargedwithcrueltytoanimalsfor"wilfullytorturinganelephant".AnemployeewiththeASPCAwitnessedSchmidtbeatingtheelephantabouttheearsandeyeswithathree-and-a-halffoothickoryclub,aswellaspunchingtheelephantinthestomachwithit.TheJudgedismissedthecase,admonishingSchmidt"totakethisasalessontobemoregentleinthefuturewithanimals".NewYorkTimes,May5,1948.

1948AKingBrotherscircuselephant,Alice,brokelooseinMalone,NewYork,andwentonarampageforseveralhours.Sheknockeddowntelephonepoles,dentedcars,anddamagedahouseandshed.NoonewasinjuredandAlicewasre-captured.NewYorkTimes,June6,1948.

1949AnelephanttravelinginacircustruckinWestVirginiabrokeoutofthetruckandrefusedtobudgeoutofthewayonthebusyhighway.Shehelduptrafficforseveralhoursuntilafarmerwithcornbreadluredherbacktothetruck.NewYorkTimes,March26,1949.

Incidentsfrom1950-Today

Thenumbersofelephantstravelinginacircusdecreasesigni icantlytowardstheendofthe1900s.Tobeexpected,thenumberofnegativeincidentsalsodecrease,buttheseverityofthemanyofincidentsremainsthesame*.

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1950Dolly,aRinglingBrotherselephant,seizedafiveyearoldboyabouthiswaist,threwhimtotheground,andsteppedonhishead.Twodayslater,Dollywaskilledwithcyanide,despitemanyprotestswhorecommendedshebegiventoazoo,instead.ChillicotheConstitutionTribune,March29,1950.

1951CentralParkZootradesChang,a25yearoldbull,fortwoyoungerfemaleelephantsandallama.ThezoodecidedChangwastoodangerousafterithadinjuredseveralkeepers.ThefinaldestinationfortheelephantwilleitherbeMetroGoldwyn-Mayer,orRinglingBrothersCircus."Bothoutfits,itwasexplained,havehadsomesuccesswithrecalcitrantelephants."ChancesareChangwillshowuplater,butunderadifferentname.NewYorkTimes,January26,1951.

1951Fouryoungelephants,frightenedbyflappingflags,panickedduringanindoorparadeandendedupbreakingtheriboftheirtrainerbeforebeingcalmedandchained.NewYorkTimes,February24,1951.

1951Atrainerisinjuredbynine"hotandexcited"elephantsinarailroadcar,andhadtobehospitalized.Heendsuplosinghisthumb.He'dlostonearminanearlierelephantmishap.SincetheeventisinSarasota,Florida,I'massumingtheelephantsareRinglingBrothers,thoughthestorydoesn'tnotethecircus.NewYorkTimes,March8,1951.

1952AlargeanimaltruckandtrailerownedbyColeBrotherscircusoverturns,killingallama,andallowingtwoelephantstoescape.Thesmallerelephantstayednearthetruck,buttheotherlargerelephant,disappearedintothesurroundingforest.

1952AKingBrothersandCristianicircustruckoverturned,throwingtwoelephantsthroughtheroofofthetrailer.Theywereinjured,butstillmobile.NewYorkTimes,July28,1952.

1953An18yearolddieswhensupposedlyanelephanthewasworkingwithgrabbedhimandtossedhimovertheelephant'shead.He'donlyjoinedtheDianoBrotherscircusafewweeksbeforetheevent.NewYorkTimes,August12,1953.

1955Anelephantescapedfromitsowner,breakingdownfencesbeforebeingre-captured.NewYorkTimes,April19,1955.

1955Vicki,aRinglingBrotherselephant,escapedfromanamusementparkintothecountrysidenearCharlotte,NorthCarolina.Veteranelephanthandlersattemptedtocatchher,butitwasagroupofhighschoolfootballplayersandvolunteerfiremanwhofinallybroughtherin.PittsburghPost-Gazette,September17,1955.

1955AnelephanthitbyacarinOrlando,Florida,droppeddeadinthecircusgroundslaterintheday.NewYorkTimes,November30,1955.

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1956TwobabyelephantsescapedtheRinglingbrothersshowbeforeanappearanceinMadisonSquareGardens.Fortypolicetriedtocapturethem,beatingatthemwithclubs,andholdingontotheirtails.However,itwasbringingtwoadultelephantstotheareathatfinallyreignedthebabiesin.NewYorkTimes,April4,1956.

1956An1800poundbabyelephantlosesitsbalanceandfallsonafamilyof4attheRinglingBrothersmenagerie.Luckily,noonewasseriouslyhurt—includingthebabyelephant.NewYorkTimes,June14,1965.

1956RinglingBrotherselephantEmily,sufferingfromillnessoverseveralweeks,collapsedanddiedwhilebeingmovedtothetrain.Shewasonherwaytoanothercircusshowing.Thecircusemployeessawedoffherchains,andleftherbodyforsanitationworkerstomanage.NewYorkTimes,May14,1956.

1956Forty-twoRinglingBrotherselephantsstampedeinalongtheWashingtonD.C.traintracksbeforehandlersgetthemundercontrol.NewYorkTimes,May25,1956.

1958AHaganBrotherselephantnamedDorothykilledacircusworker,DonaldLloyd.DorothyknockedLloydtotheground,andthenstoodonherheadonhisbody.NewYorkTimes,November25,1958.

1960OneelephantbeginstocrushamaninanelephanttrailerintheCristianiBrotherscircus.Anotherelephantgrabsthemanwithhertrunkandtossedhimoutthetrailer.Thenewsstoryclaimsthesecondelephantsavedtheman,whichistrue,butitwasunlikelythattheelephantwasbeingaltruistic.NewYorkTimes,May6,1960.

1961Jewel,aWirthcircuselephant,seriouslyinjuredhertrainer,EricFrodelius,asshewasbeingledintothering.Theincidentoccurredinfrontofover3000spectators,whoweren'tawarehewasbeingattackeduntiltheend.NewYorkTimes,March26,1961.

1961AnelephantthathadbeengivingridesinashoppingmallparkinglotinSanAngelo,Texas,suddenlywentonarampage,killingapasser-by,JamesJohnOrr,andseriouslyinjuringhertrainer.TheSpokesman-Review,April25,1961.

1962AMillsBrotherscircustruckcrashedandcaughtfire.Luckily,thecircusemployeewasabletofreethetwoelephantsinthetruckbeforetheywerekilled.NewYorkTimes,November27,1962.

1963SevenelephantsstampededduringacircusparadeinOklahoma.Theelephants'keeperwasthrownofftheleadelephantandseriouslyhurt.NewYorkTimes,June26,1963.

1966An8yearoldelephantwaskilledwhenitbrokeawayfromatouristattractionandwashitbyasemi-truck.NewYorkTimes,April13,1966.

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1969Lightninghitacircustentpolebeingraisedbyanelephant,killingtheelephantandinjuringtwocircusworkers.NewYorkTimes,August21,1969.

1973TheRinglingBrotherscircuscontactedthepoliceinordertohavethemkill14yearoldTyler.Tylerhadgoneafterhertrainerseveraltimesthatdayand"hadlostherfearofpeople",accordingtocircusofficials.ThepolicefiredtwoshotsfromahighpoweredrifleintoTyler'sheadasshelayquietly,tranquilizedbythecircusvet.NewYorkTimes,October1,1973.

(KennethFeld,currentownerofRinglingBrothers,wouldhavebeenacircusexecutivein1973.)

1975TwoCarsonandBarnescircusbabyelephants,LilyandIsa,escapedthecircuswhileitwasinOklahoma,andmanagedtoeludesearchersforovertwoweeks.July28,1975.

1976CarsonandBarneselephantBarbarawasbeingusedtohelprightanoverturnedtruckwhenshewasspookedandescapedintotheArkansascountryside.Sheremainedatlargeforoveraweekbeforebeingre-captured.NewYorkTimes,October25,1976.

1977Colonel,aCircusVargaselephant,escapesfromabrokendowntruckintotheFloridaEverglades.Ittakessixdaystofindandcapturehim.St.PetersburgTimes,December29,1977.

1978AHawthorneCircuschainedelephantkilledanemployee,DavidFarr,inChicago.Themanhadbeenpesteringtheelephant—pushingatherface,andputtinghishandinhermouth.Evidently,hewastryingtogettheelephanttoperform.NewYorkTimes,March13,1978andtheLeader-Post,March13,1978.

1981Policeweresurprisedtoencounteranelephantwalkingdownthemiddleofahighway,northofColumbus,Ohio,trailingafourfootchain.TheelephantcontinueddownthehighwayuntilthepolicefetchedherkeeperfromtheCarson&Barnescircus.

1982ARinglingBrotherselephantthathadjustfinishedtowingastagecoachwithchildrenranoutofthearena,crashedintoashowgirldressingroom,andtriedtoentertheshower.NewYorkTimes,March14,1982.

1982OnMay14,fiveelephantsescapedtheCarsonandBarnescircusandfellovera25footledgeintoacoalpit.Oneoftheelephantswascrushedtodeathundertheweightoftheothers.TheTelegraph-Herald,May17,1982.

1982Chargesweredroppedagainsttwoanimalhandlersafterpathologyreportsshowedayoungwomanhadbeenkilledbyablowfromanelephant,notfrombeingbeatentodeathwithabaseballbat.Themenwerestillchargedamisdemeanorfornotreporting

20

herdeath.TheMilwaukee-Sentinel,Sept.28,1982.

1983TheowneroftheHoxieBros.circusisinjuredbyanelephantnamedJanet,whohadsteppedonhim.Hewashospitalizedfor100dayswithabrokenbackandhips.Hisinjuriesareseriousenoughtocausehimtosellhiscircus—includingJanet,totheGreatAmericanCircus.Janetisthesameelephantmentionedatthebeginningofthischapter.She'sfeaturedalittlelater,inatragicincidentin1992.SunSentinel(Florida),February5,1992.

1983AnelephantnamedToomaigoredwellknownanimaltrainerRomanSchmittinthelegatCircusWorld.TheelephantwassoldtoGaryJacobson,elephanttraineratRinglingBrothers.TheVictoriaAdvocate,April17,1983.

1983OnMay25th,aspectatorsupposedlytriedtoblowintothetrunkofaClydeBeatty-ColeBros.circuselephantnamedFreda.Shewrappedhertrunkaroundhimandflunghimtotheground,severelyinjuringhim.May25,1983.

1983AChicagoradiostationmanager,DianaMigala,felloffanelephantduringaracecalledthe"Pachyderm500",andwasseriouslyinjured.TheAlbanyHerald,July18,1983.

1984Anelephantbeingusedtoraiseacircustentwaselectrocuted(mostlikelybylightening),fallingonhertrainer,TimMericash,andkillinghim.TheincidenthappenedinSpringhill,Louisiana.EllensburgDailyRecord,April18,1984.

1984TheAtlantaZooclaimsthatanelephantnamedTwinklesdiedwhileatafarmwhereshewassenttoaidhercrippledlegs.However,aninvestigationbroughtouttheinformationthatthezoohadlentTwinklestoasmalltravelingcircus,wherethemistreatmentshereceivedledtoheruntimelydeath.Thisincidentledtoexposureofthecloserelationshipbetweencircusesandzoosatthetime.MiamiHerald,June7,1984.

1985FredatheClydeBeatty-ColeBros.elephantresponsibleforinjuringamanin1983waschainedwithsevenotherelephantstostakesinaparkinglot.Aninebriatedwomenattemptedtoclimbher,andwaskilledwhenFredathrewher.July7,1985.

1987AnelephantwiththeGreatAmericanCircusbrokeawayfromhandlersandheadedtoherfeedingareaonJuly10.Afouryearoldgirlwasinjuredfallingoffherback,andanotherchildwasinjuredwhentheelephantrushedpast.Luckily,bothchildrenonlysufferedminorinjuries.AP,July10,1987.

1988Susie,anelephantwitha'travelingzoo'namedWonderZoowasextremelyillandundernourishedwhenarrivinginGainesville,Florida.Eventually,shehadtobeeuthanized.ColumbusDispatch,September4,1988.

1989AbullelephantnamedCaseykilledtrainerJoeAllenatBuschGardensinFebruary.

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He'sincludedinthislistbecauseBuschGardenssoldCaseytoRinglingBrothers.

1989AnelephantnamedIrenebrokeawaywhilegivingridesonFebruary4.Severalpeoplehadtoberescuedfromherback,butnoonewashurt.OrlandoSentinel,February5,1992.

1990AnelephantattackshertrainerintheGreatAmericanCircusinReading,PA.Shealsobreaksthroughabarrierandrunstowardsthespectators,scatteringthem.Accordingtowitnesses,thetrainerhadbeenhittingtheelephantinthesideoftheheadbeforetheattack.OrlandoSentinel,February4,1992.

1990AHannefordFamilyCircusworkeriskilledbyanelephantnamedCarol,aftershewasstartledbyapassingcar.CarolislatershotintheshoulderbyanunknownassailantwhileinTupelo,Mississippi.performingwiththeRinglingBrotherscircus.SunSentinel,June21,1990.

1991SeveralwitnessestellofGreatAmericanCircusemployeesbeatingababyelephantwithashoveluntiltheelephantshrieked.Theelephant'sshrieksweresoloud,theycouldbeheardwithinanearbyrestaurant.Theemployeesstoppedwhentheynoticedtheywerebeingwatched.BurlingtonFreePress,September19,1991.

1992Janet(akaKelly),whoearlierhadinjuredcircusownerLeonardTucker,wasbeingriddenbyawomanandseveralchildrenbeforetheGreatAmericancircusshowstartedinPalmBay,Florida.Shesuddenlyrammedintothecagearoundthecircle,andthenkeptrammingthecage.Theytriedtotakethechildrenofftheelephant,butshetossedahandlerseveralfeetaway.Shebrokeoutofthecircustentandtookoffdownthestreet.Apolicemantriedtorescuethechildrenandwasalsotossedseveralfeet.Eventually,anotherhandlercameuponanotherelephant,andwasabletohelpgetthekidsoff.Thewomanjumpedoffonherown.

Janetheadedbackintothecircustent,runningthroughcrowdsofpanickedcircuspatrons.Fearingfortheirsafety,policestartedshootingKelly.Thecontinuedshootingher,untilshedied.Variouspublications,February1,1992.

1992AnelephantintheTarzanZerbiniInternationalcircusstoppedsuddenly,causingtheelephantsfollowingtobumpintoit,aswellasabarrieraroundthering.Severalspectatorsreceivedminorinjuriesintheirpanictomovetosafety.ChicagoTribune,July17,1992.

1993AxelGautierwasknockeddownandkilledbyanelephanthewasworkingwithatRinglingBothter'sElephantFarminFlorida.TheNews-Journal,May8,1993.

1993AnelephantchainedtonineotherscrushedamantodeathintheClydeBeatty-ColeBros.Circus.Themanwascrushedbybeingpinnedagainstawall.NewYorkTimes,June

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7,1993.

1993TheHawthorneCorporationloansTyketoCircusAmericaforashowintheJaffaMosque,whereshechargedthroughanentryway,tearingdownawall,andcausing$10,000indamageonApril21.Alsoin1993whilewithCircusAmerica,TykeboltedfromatentwhiletheshowwasinHarrisburg,Pennsylvania.TheVindicator,August24,1994.

1993Tyke,injuredanelephantkeeperwhiletheywererehearsingforashowinMinot,NDinJuly.Thekeepersufferedseriousinjuries.St.LouisDispatch,August25,1994.

1994AJordancircuselephantnamedSuewasgivingaridetotwochildrenwhenshetossedhertrainertothegroundandsteppedonhim,seriouslyinjuringhim.Anothertrainertryingtointervenewasalsoinjured.AP,April,1994.

1994ACircusInternationalelephantnamedJackrammedafencearoundthearena,knockingonespectatorintoanotherrow,andpinningnineotherpeople.BostonGlobe,August15,1994.

1994Inoneofthebetterfilmedandmorewellknownelephantincidents,theHawthorneCorporationelephantelephantTyke,mentionedearlier,butatthattimeleasedtoCircusInternational,wentonarampage.Shekillerhertrainer,severelyinjuredanelephantgroomerandcircuspublicist,andranwildthroughthestreetsuntilshewasshotdown.Ittook86shotstokillTyke.Variouspublications,August22,1994.

1994BelaTabakfromtheKingRoyalcircusbeathisyoungelephant,Mickey,sobadly,itwasforcedtotheground,screaming.TabakhadhislicensetohandleelephantssuspendedbytheUSDAforfiveyears.Oregonian,September20,1994.

1994AninterpreterfortheMoscowStateCircuswasseverelyinjuredwhenshewasattackedbyacircuselephantjustbeforeascheduledappearanceonLivewithRegisandKathieLee.LosAngelesTimes,October11,1994.

1994MickeyfromtheKingRoyalcircusslightlyinjureda3yearoldgirl.Oregonion,December24,1994.

1995ClydeBeatty-ColeBros.elephantswerealsoinvolvedinarampageinHanover,Pennsylvania,damagingbothbuildingsandcars.Oneelephantwasinjured.Aspectatornotedthattheelephanttrainerwasscreamingattheelephants,beatingatthemwithhisbullhook.GettysburgTimes,May19,1995.

1995Whileloadingcircusequipment,aTarzanZerbiniInternationalcircusemployeewassteppedonbyanelephantnamedRosie,whowasstartledbyaloudnoise.Themanwasseriouslyinjured.News-Sentinel(FortWayne,IN),July4,1995.

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1995ClydeBeatty-ColeBros.elephantFrieda,responsibleforanearlierdeathandinjurywasfinallyretiredafterbeinginvolvedwithanaltercationwithanotherelephant,Debbie,duringaperformanceinQueens.NewYorkTimes,July11,1995.

1996Joyce,aCircusVargaselephant,diedunderanesthesiawhilehavingdentalsurgery.Shewasfoundtobesufferingfromadvancedtuberculosis—adiseasethatcanbetransmittedbetweenelephantsandhumans.Shehadlostover1,000poundsinweightoverthelast10months,butstillhadtoperformthedaybeforeshedied.Reuters,March11,1997.

1996TheJordonWorldCircuselephantnamedSue,mentionedearlierinanincidentfrom1994,knockedhertrainerdownattheCentralWyomingFairgrounds.Suewassupposedlyfrightenedbyahorse.Thetrainerreceivedminorinjuries.CasperStarTribune,June15,1996.

1996ACircusVargaselephantnamedHattiediedonedayafterbeinginaperformance,whileontransportbacktoherowners,theHawthorneCorporation.Shecollapsedwhilebeingoff-loadedfromthetruck.SanJoseMercuryNews,August10,1996.

1997AKingRoyalBros.circuselephantnamedHeatherwasfounddeadinatrailerthatalsocontainedtwootherelephantsandeightllamas.Thetruckwasinaparkinglot,andthetemperatureinsidewas120degrees.NecropsyresultsstatedthatHeatherdiedofsalmonellapoisoning,broughtonbymalnutritionandstress.AlbuquerqueJournal,August14,1997.

1998AnotheroftheelephantsleadingtotheASPCAetalvs.FEIlawsuit,Kenny,diedafterbeingmadetoperformintheRinglingBrotherscircuswhileill.Variousnewssources,January31,1998.

1998Anelephantbroughtinforahighschoolcircus,Tonya,knockeddownhertrainerduringanact,openedadoor,andescapedfromthebuilding.Shewasrecoveredaquartermileaway.LedgerEnquirer(AP),February17,1998.

1998SeveralClydeBeatty-ColeBros.circuselephantswerefoundwithbullhookwounds.USDAinspectorsnotedwoundsontwodifferentoccasionsinJune.AUSDApressreleasenotedthatthecircususedthebullhookabusivelyonseveraldifferentelephants.USDAAPHISPressRelease,April20,1999.

1999Luna,aRoyalHannefordcircuselephant,becamedisorientedandlostafterperformingatrick,andsteppedoutoftheringintotheaudience.ThereweresomeminorinjuriesaspeoplemovedtogetoutofLuna'sway.PoughkeepsieJournal,February23,1999.

1999OneoftheelephantsthatledtotheASPCAetalvs.FEIlawsuit,Benjamin,diesina

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pondwhilebeingtransportedviatruck.

1999ATarzanZerbiniInternationalcircusemployeeisseverelyinjuredwhenanelephantbrokefreeofrestraints.Anambulanceworkernotesthesmellofalcoholontheman'sbreath.DuluthNews-Tribune,April21,1999.

2000USDAinspectorsfoundnumerousviolationsinthecareandhandlingofelephantsattheClydeBeatty-ColeBros.circus.Oneelephantbledwhilesheurinated,anotherhadapartiallyparalyzedtail.DaytonaBeachNewsJournal,February12,2000.

2000ARamosfamilycircuselephant,Kenya,trampledandkilledoneofherownersafterbreakingfreefromrestraints.Kenyadiedtwoweekslaterfromintestinaldifficulties.St.PetersburgTimes,January27,2000.

2000AnelephantescapedfromtheCulpepperandMerriweatherCircusinYuccaValley,California,seriouslyinjuringatickettaker.Shewaseventuallyrecaptured.TheIntelligencer,April21,2000.

2002ElephantsnamedToryandMaryescapedtheShrinecircusinWisconsin,injuringachildanddamagingabuildingandatruck.Reuters,June18,2002.

2002Tonya,ownedbyRobertChildressandleasedtovariouscircusesescapedandfledintowoodsnearEasley,SouthCarolina.Shewaseventuallyre-captured.Thiswasherfourthescape.

2002AhandlerfortheSterlingandReidcircusischargedwithanimalcrueltyafterbeingaccusedofbeatinganelephantseverelyenoughtocausebloodylacerations.TheVirginia-Pilot,August25,2002.

2003AnelephantintheBobbyRobertscircusfledthrougharesidentialareaafterbeingspookedbyamotorcycle.Shewaseventuallyrecaptured.TheDailyRecord,December24,3004.

2003AuthoritiesseizeDelphi,anelephantownedbytheHawthornCorporation(anagencyleasinganimalstocircuses),becauseofseverehealthissues.ShewasturnedovertotheelephantsanctuaryinTennessee.Variouspublications.

2004RinglingBrotherspersonnelweretrainingababyelephantnamedRicardo,havingitgetuponatallstool,whentheelephantfelloff,breakingbothitsbacklegs.Ricardohadtobeeuthanized.WildlifeAdvocacyProject,theeventhappenedonAugust5,2004.

2004TwoHawthorneCorporationemployeeswereinjuredbyanelephantinthecompany'straininggrounds.PETA,November2004,inMcHenryCounty,Illinois.

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2004ALiebelFamilyCircuselephantnamedNoseyattackedacircusworkerwhowasattendingtotheelephantswatercontainer.Theelephantpickedthemanupwithhertuskandthrewhimdownanincline.Theworkerrequiredstitchesforaheadinjury.PETA,July4,2004,inClinton,Iowa.

2004AGeorgeCardencircuselephantattackedanarenaworkerattheElMaidaShrinecircus.Themanwasseriouslyinjured,requiringsurgery.PETA,August29,2004,inElPaso,Texas.

2005ATarzanZerbinicircusworker,PierreSpenle,fellintoatrailerwiththreeelephantsandwastrampledtodeath.CBSNews,February11,2005.

2005ARinglingBrothersemployee,DavidMannes,sufferedseriousinjuriesatthecompany'selephantcompoundinFloridawhenanelephantnamedTovaknockedMannesdownandkickedhim.PETA,April13,2005.

2005AClydeBeatty-ColeBros.circuselephantnamedJewelgrabbedawoman'swristwithhertrunkwhenthewomanreachedouttowardsheratacountyfairinPleasantTownship,Pennsylvania.Thewomenwastreatedandreleasedforasprainedwristandpossibletornligaments.PETA,August25,2005.

2005TwoRinglingBrotherselephantswerestartledbyabarkingdogandranaroundthearena,uncontrolled,foratime.Theybothreceivedminorinjuriesfrombrushingagainstarenaseats.PETA,December12,2005.

2007AnEnterprisingElephantsemployeewasseriouslyinjuredbyanelephantwhileperformingattheArizonaRenaissanceFestivalinApacheJunction,Arizona.PETA,March6,2007.

2008WhileinKansas,twoelephantsownedbyAnimalEncountersbrokelosewhenstartledbyatornadosiren.Theycausednodamageorinjuriesbeforebeingre-captured.KARENews,June6,2008.

2009Anelephantgivingchildrenaridebumpsintoastairwaywhereotheradultsandchildrenwaitingforaridearestanding.Severalofthepeoplesufferedminorinjuries.TimesHerald-Record,March7,2009.

2009OneoftheAnimalEncounterselephantsthatescapedin2008,Kamba,escapedagaininOklahoma,andwashitbyanSUV.ThepeopleintheSUVwerenotharmed,butKambasufferedseveralinjuries.EnidNews.com,November5,2009.

2010ARinglingBrotherselephanttookawrongturnandbrokethroughadoorleadingintothearenaduringacircuspre-show.Theelephantambledpastthespectatorsontheareafloor,beforeitwasplacedbackundercontrol.TheState,February7,2010.

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2010AnelephantnamedDumbo,performingintheIremShrineCircus,kickedahandlernamedAndrewAnderton,killinghim.TheHamidCircusstagedtheshow,andtheelephantwasleasedfromJoeFrisco'sWonderfulWorldofAnimals.TheaccidentwasinvestigatedbecauseofapossibilityDumbohadbeenshockedbyalivewire.HuffingtonPost,April10,2010.

2010ACarson&BarneselephantnamedIsasteppedonhertrainer,moderatelyinjuringhim.PETA,quotingaUSDAreport.

2010ACarson&BarneselephantnamedViola,leasedtoColeBrothersCircus,escaped,sendingcircuspatronsrunningbeforefallingintoaravineinjuringherself.Thecircusclaimedshehadbeenspookedbyarabbit.WSLSNews,April28,2010.

2011FeldEntertainment,Inc.,andtheUSDAreachasettlementagreement,withFeldpaying$270,000incivilfinesforviolationsoftheAnimalWelfareAct.ThisthelargestfineeverpaidforAWAviolations.USDAPressRelease,November28,2011.

2013Carol,thesameelephantthataccidentallykilledatrainerin1990,wasshotintheearlymorninghoursinApril,inTupelo,Mississippi,asshesleptinatentinaparkinglot.ShewasonleasetoRinglingBrothersfortheGoldUnitcircus.Variousnewssources.

Somuchfortheseincidentsbeing"terriblyrare".

* My thanks to Performing Animals Welfare Society (PAWS), People for the EthicalTreatment of Animals (PETA), and the Humane Society of the United States (HSUS) forprovidinglistsofnegativeincidentspost1950,severalofwhichIincorporatedintothislist.

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