Exotic Incident #778

Reported:

Location:

Polk City, FL - USA

Species:

Trap Type:

Incident Date:

13/04/2005

Victim's Disposition:

Victim's Name:

Legal Action:

Result:

Summary:

Tova, a 36-year-old female Asian elephant, kicked her elephant trainer at the Ringling Bros. Circus’s elephant breeding facility. The man was airlifted to the hospital and suffered a fractured pelvis and soft tissue wounds. Tova was disciplined with temporary isolation from her peers. Bruce Read, vice president of animal stewardship for the center, said, “This is normal elephant behavior.”