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You can find the current article at its original source at http://www.guardian.co.uk/world/2012/oct/25/zoo-workers-arrested-suspicion-elephant
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| Version 2 | Version 3 |
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| Zoo workers arrested on suspicion of causing suffering to elephant | Zoo workers arrested on suspicion of causing suffering to elephant |
| (about 3 hours later) | |
| Three zoo workers have been arrested on suspicion of causing unnecessary suffering to an animal after an elephant was allegedly beaten. | Three zoo workers have been arrested on suspicion of causing unnecessary suffering to an animal after an elephant was allegedly beaten. |
| Leicestershire police said three men had been arrested and questioned in connection with the unnecessary suffering of an elephant at Twycross zoo near Atherstone. | Leicestershire police said three men had been arrested and questioned in connection with the unnecessary suffering of an elephant at Twycross zoo near Atherstone. |
| The offence happened last month, a force spokeswoman said. She added that the men had been released on bail pending further inquiries. | |
| A spokesman for Twycross zoo said two elephants had been mistreated, including a 28-year-old female Asian elephant called Tonzi. | A spokesman for Twycross zoo said two elephants had been mistreated, including a 28-year-old female Asian elephant called Tonzi. |
| He said three members of staff had been dismissed following the discovery of their alleged mistreatment of elephants in their care. | |
| The zoo reported the incident to the police who continue to investigate it, he said. The zoo is co-operating fully with the investigation, he added. | |
| The elephants are well and continue to be on public show, he said. | |
| In a statement, the zoo said: "Twycross zoo has dismissed three members of its staff. This followed the discovery of their mistreatment of elephants in their care. | In a statement, the zoo said: "Twycross zoo has dismissed three members of its staff. This followed the discovery of their mistreatment of elephants in their care. |
| "The zoo responded to the situation immediately by telling the Leicestershire police of the issue, who are investigating the matter. The relevant zoo authorities were also informed. | |
| "The animals involved are being regularly checked by veterinary experts who report they are well and behaving normally. The animals have been and continue to be on full public show. | "The animals involved are being regularly checked by veterinary experts who report they are well and behaving normally. The animals have been and continue to be on full public show. |
| "Despite this, Twycross zoo has zero tolerance towards such behaviour. This case involved rogue individuals, acting in complete disregard to their moral, contractual and legal requirements. Everyone at the zoo is extremely upset at their actions." | "Despite this, Twycross zoo has zero tolerance towards such behaviour. This case involved rogue individuals, acting in complete disregard to their moral, contractual and legal requirements. Everyone at the zoo is extremely upset at their actions." |
| Twycross zoo was founded in 1963 and employs 160 staff. It attracts 500,000 visitors a year to its 80-acre site close to the border between Leicestershire and Warwickshire. It looks after nearly 1,000 animals from 200 species and is a leading centre for zoological research and training. It is also involved in worldwide conservation and education initiatives. |