In a bizarre turn of events, residents of Butte, Montana were taken aback by the sight of an elephant roaming the streets. The elephant, which had escaped from the Jordan World Circus, was spotted weaving through traffic and passing by a casino. A video capturing the incident shows the elephant’s handler running alongside the massive animal as onlookers express shock and amusement at the unusual sight.
Local media reports indicated that the elephant’s escape was triggered by a backfiring vehicle, causing the animal to break free from its handlers who were washing it outside the Butte Civic Center. Despite leaving a surprise on someone’s lawn, the elephant was eventually safely returned to the circus without any injuries. Photos and videos of the incident rapidly spread on social media platforms, eliciting mixed reactions from viewers.
Following the incident, People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals (PETA) lodged a complaint against the circus for failing to protect the elephant and the public. The animal rights group highlighted the importance of not supporting circuses that exploit animals, emphasizing the detrimental impact on elephants who are forced to perform in unnatural environments instead of living in their natural habitats where they can maintain vital social and behavioral connections.