Drivers were left in shock after the elephant, named Viola, bolted across the road in Butte, Montana on Tuesday.
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The 58-year-old animal is part of the Jordan World Circus, which is being held at the local civic center.
The elephant’s handlers were giving it a bath when a passing car backfired and spooked it, causing it to run off, Butte Civic Center Manager Bill Melvin said.
The enormous mammal ran across a busy road, bringing traffic to a halt as stunned drivers watched it make its way across the street.
One person was seen running after the elephant with a bullhook to try and get it to come back to the circus.
“A f**king elephant is going down the road, my God,” someone was heard saying in a video of the wild encounter.
Shortly after its escape, the elephant was safely returned to the circus.
Viola, who is originally from Asia, was wandering around the city for about 10 minutes, according to local ABC and Fox affiliate KTMF.
There was no damage caused to the area after Viola’s escape besides some droppings, the outlet noted.
Jordan World Circus was scheduled to perform two shows in Butte on Tuesday, according to its website.
Performing Animal Welfare Society released a statement saying that this is the second time an elephant has escaped Jordan World Circus.
The animal rights group called the bullhook used to corral the elephant “menacing.”
“Video shows a handler chasing the elephant (later caught) with a menacing bullhook,” PAWS wrote in a tweet.
“This is the second time an elephant has escaped from this circus.
“Elephants in circuses are violently trained, forced to perform tricks that are harmful to their health, and chained for hours on end.
“Escapes like this threaten the public and the elephant.
“Yet another reason that elephants should not be in circuses – or in captivity!”
PETA’S RESPONSE
Peta, or People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals, echoed PAWS’ worries about the escaped animal.
The group said it filed a complaint with federal authorities at the US Department of Agriculture over concerns that the circus was not properly protecting the elephant and people in the public.
PETA wants Viola to be examined for injuries that she may have suffered during her escape.
Viola was given to Jordan World Circus by Carson & Barnes Circus.
The elephant escaped two previous times, in 2010 and 2014, according to PETA.
PETA said it found in a 2021 investigation that Viola was allegedly being forced to perform daily with chronically swollen feet and issues with her back legs.
“The elephant’s latest break for freedom comes after decades of abuse,” PETA wrote.
“Her desperate attempt to flee her weapon-wielding handler endangered many lives.
“We urge everyone to help keep elephants off the road by refusing to buy a ticket to any circus that forces them to perform.”
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