Viola the elephant gained global attention seven weeks ago when she briefly escaped while being bathed in an enclosure at the rear of the Butte Civic Center.
Captured on video by a passerby, footage of Viola’s walk as she made her way down Harrison Avenue and then turned left to a small grassy yard beyond Lucky Lil’s Casino went viral.
Local news sources urged witnesses who witnessed her escape to share their experiences. BBC and The New York Times reported on her failed attempt, and the video was widely shared on social media platforms.
Viola’s escape from her leaser, the Jordan World Circus, sparked outrage, including from officials at the animal rights organization PETA.
People are also reading…
Shortly after the April 16 incident, a PETA representative notified the U.S. Department of Agriculture about Viola’s escape in Butte. According to PETA, the USDA cited Viola’s owner, Carson & Barnes Circus, for negligence in securing her and ensuring her safety.
Debbie Metzler, director of PETA’s Captive Animal Welfare, stated, “They need to revoke their license.”
The USDA did not respond to requests for information from The Montana Standard regarding the citation.
Carson & Barnes Circus, in operation since 1937, has a history of USDA citations, with over 100 previous violations. Attempts to reach the circus’ headquarters were unsuccessful.
Metzler mentioned that in the past, the USDA has settled with fines, leaving the decision at their discretion.
She added, “The citation is essentially a minor punishment.”
Despite plans for retirement last August, Viola has been on tour with the Jordan World Circus since January. After the Butte performance, she traveled to other Montana cities, including Helena, Bozeman, and Billings.
Metzler emphasized PETA’s role in educating the public about animal abuse in circuses, leading her to visit the Jordan World Circus in Centralia, Washington, to inspect Viola’s condition.
“I wanted to assess her well-being,” Metzler said.
She witnessed one of Viola’s handlers using a bullhook, a tool considered cruel by animal rights groups, to prevent her escape.
The American Association of Zoos and Aquariums has banned the use of bullhooks as they are seen as instruments of torture.
Viola’s escape in Butte was not her first; she had previously attempted to flee in 2010 and sustained injuries in 2014 during a similar incident in St. Charles, Missouri.
Now in her 50s, Viola has surpassed the average lifespan of a captive Asian elephant. Metzler expressed concerns about Viola’s future and urged people to stop supporting circuses with animals.
