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Ringling Bros circus elephant recuperates from Mississippi shooting Ringling Bros circus elephant recuperates from Mississippi shooting
(12 days later)
Carol the elephant has packed her trunk and temporarily said goodbye to the circus after being shot at a show in Mississippi, prompting a $34,000 reward for information leading to the capture of her assailant.Carol the elephant has packed her trunk and temporarily said goodbye to the circus after being shot at a show in Mississippi, prompting a $34,000 reward for information leading to the capture of her assailant.
The Asian elephant was touring with Ringling Bros and Barnum & Bailey Circus in Tupelo, when she was shot near the shoulder while relaxing in her enclosure. A suspect was witnessed fleeing the scene, and multiple agencies have contributed money in a bid to track him or her down.The Asian elephant was touring with Ringling Bros and Barnum & Bailey Circus in Tupelo, when she was shot near the shoulder while relaxing in her enclosure. A suspect was witnessed fleeing the scene, and multiple agencies have contributed money in a bid to track him or her down.
Carol, 39, has withdrawn from the circus while she recuperates and is expected to make a full recovery, her trainer and owner Catherine Carden said. Carden was 45ft away from the elephant, in a motorhome with her children, when she heard the gunshot.Carol, 39, has withdrawn from the circus while she recuperates and is expected to make a full recovery, her trainer and owner Catherine Carden said. Carden was 45ft away from the elephant, in a motorhome with her children, when she heard the gunshot.
"It was like a bomb went off. I've never heard gunfire so loud. It was a huge boom, one resounding boom," she told the Guardian."It was like a bomb went off. I've never heard gunfire so loud. It was a huge boom, one resounding boom," she told the Guardian.
"It was surreal, I just couldn't believe it," Carden said of the moment she realised Carol had been wounded. "I saw a hole in my elephant, and a trickle of blood running down her leg, and she was just standing there like nothing had happened.""It was surreal, I just couldn't believe it," Carden said of the moment she realised Carol had been wounded. "I saw a hole in my elephant, and a trickle of blood running down her leg, and she was just standing there like nothing had happened."
Carden's mother had raised Carol from calf to cow, and Carden said she remembered growing up alongside the elephant. She praised Carol for remaining calm after the attack.Carden's mother had raised Carol from calf to cow, and Carden said she remembered growing up alongside the elephant. She praised Carol for remaining calm after the attack.
"She was the only one it seems who hasn't been affected by this. She's healing up just fine.""She was the only one it seems who hasn't been affected by this. She's healing up just fine."
The bullet struck Carol just in front of the shoulder blade and struck muscle, fragmenting into 5 or 6 pieces. A vet has tended to the wound but was reluctant to attempt to remove the shrapnel. Carden said the hope is that the bullet pieces will work their way free similar to a splinter departing an afflicted finger.The bullet struck Carol just in front of the shoulder blade and struck muscle, fragmenting into 5 or 6 pieces. A vet has tended to the wound but was reluctant to attempt to remove the shrapnel. Carden said the hope is that the bullet pieces will work their way free similar to a splinter departing an afflicted finger.
"It's in a really great spot," Carden said. "I mean, if your elephant is going to get shot that's the perfect place. Anywhere else, within 12 inches in a different direction, could have been fatal or lamed her for life.""It's in a really great spot," Carden said. "I mean, if your elephant is going to get shot that's the perfect place. Anywhere else, within 12 inches in a different direction, could have been fatal or lamed her for life."
In the wake of the shooting a number of agencies have posted rewards in a bid to capture Carol's attacker, the amount rising to $33,750 over the weekend. Feld Entertainment, which produces the Ringling Bros and Barnum & Bailey Circus where Carol was performing, posted $10,000, as did George Carden Circus International – the Carden family business.In the wake of the shooting a number of agencies have posted rewards in a bid to capture Carol's attacker, the amount rising to $33,750 over the weekend. Feld Entertainment, which produces the Ringling Bros and Barnum & Bailey Circus where Carol was performing, posted $10,000, as did George Carden Circus International – the Carden family business.
The US Fish and Wildlife service posted a $5,000 reward and has appealed for information. Tom Mackenzie, a south-east region spokesman for the agency, said it was rare but not entirely uncommon for the agency to post rewards. It had posted similar amounts for information regarding attacks on bald eagles and whooping cranes, Mackenzie said.The US Fish and Wildlife service posted a $5,000 reward and has appealed for information. Tom Mackenzie, a south-east region spokesman for the agency, said it was rare but not entirely uncommon for the agency to post rewards. It had posted similar amounts for information regarding attacks on bald eagles and whooping cranes, Mackenzie said.
The Asian elephant is listed as endangered by the International Union for Conservation of Nature and there are believed to be fewer than 50,000 left in the wild.The Asian elephant is listed as endangered by the International Union for Conservation of Nature and there are believed to be fewer than 50,000 left in the wild.
Carol has entertained crowds across the US during her career, but Carden said the elephant had no known enemies. Although two other elephants in the enclosure escaped unharmed, Carden ruled out the possibility of the gunman having a grudge against Carol specifically.Carol has entertained crowds across the US during her career, but Carden said the elephant had no known enemies. Although two other elephants in the enclosure escaped unharmed, Carden ruled out the possibility of the gunman having a grudge against Carol specifically.
"She was on the end, she was closest to the road. I just think he had the best shot. She was blocking the other two, I think she just happened to be in front," she said. "I think it was just someone who decided: 'Oh let's see what happens if you shoot an elephant'.""She was on the end, she was closest to the road. I just think he had the best shot. She was blocking the other two, I think she just happened to be in front," she said. "I think it was just someone who decided: 'Oh let's see what happens if you shoot an elephant'."
While Carol and her owners wait for news on the gunman, Carden said she had been touched by the messages of sympathy and expressions of hope for a speedy recovery.While Carol and her owners wait for news on the gunman, Carden said she had been touched by the messages of sympathy and expressions of hope for a speedy recovery.
"People are sending cards and well wishes from all over the country and the world," she said. "That is amazing. Everybody's just been super supportive and really awesome. It's just been really amazing all the outpouring of love that she got and support.""People are sending cards and well wishes from all over the country and the world," she said. "That is amazing. Everybody's just been super supportive and really awesome. It's just been really amazing all the outpouring of love that she got and support."
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