There was global attention on Viola the elephant seven weeks ago when she briefly escaped while being bathed in an enclosure at the Butte Civic Center.
A video of the older elephant’s walk down Harrison Avenue and into a small grassy yard beyond Lucky Lil’s Casino went viral, captured by a passerby.
Local news outlets encouraged witnesses to share their experiences of Viola’s escape. The incident was covered by major networks and newspapers like The New York Times and the British Broadcasting Corporation.
The world’s largest animal rights organization, PETA, expressed outrage at Viola’s escape from her leaser, the Jordan World Circus.
People are also reading…
PETA informed the U.S. Department of Agriculture about Viola’s escape in Butte, leading to a citation for the elephant’s owner, Carson & Barnes Circus.
Debbie Metzler, director of PETA’s Captive Animal Welfare, called for the revocation of the circus’s license.
Carson & Barnes Circus, in business since 1937, has been cited over 100 times by the USDA in the past. The recent citation for failing to secure Viola is not their first.
PETA criticized the USDA for inconsistent enforcement and viewed the citation as insufficient punishment.
Viola was expected to retire last August but has continued performing with the Jordan World Circus, traveling to multiple towns in Montana after her escape.
Metzler, from PETA, visited the circus in Washington to assess Viola’s condition and witnessed a handler using a bullhook to control the elephant.
Viola’s previous escape attempts and injuries were highlighted, and concerns were raised about her quality of life in captivity.
Metzler emphasized the need to educate the public about circus animal welfare to prevent further exploitation of elephants like Viola.
