Shot elephant returns to performing on stage with Ringling Brothers and Barnum & Bailey Circus. Carol, the 40-year-old elephant becomes the victim of a drive-by shooting in April while on tour with "The Greatest Show on Earth." Now, the shot elephant returns for the first time to the scene of the crime.
The news was widespread last year. On April 9 of 2013, witnesses heard a gunshot around 2 a.m., after which a white SUV sped away from the parking lot. Before the incident happened, Carol and the other elephants were in the parking lot's fenced-in pens as they are yet to be performing.
The shot elephant returns now to the circus where she was shot behind her ear. Due to the injury, Carol the elephant took a few weeks off performing in the circus.
Carol the shot elephant returns to the ring in Tupelo, Mississippi where the incident occurred even if the shooter is still uncaught. And if people remembered this incident that happened in April of last year, it is certain that Carol the elephant still has recollections of how she got her injury, because the saying that "Elephants never forget" has been backed by science.
Authorities claim that the person responsible for the drive-by shooting has not yet been caught and perplexes circus and police detectives. The only visible remnant of the shooting is a small scar on the 7,535-pound elephant's right shoulder.
The circus in care of Carol is still working with local authorities to catch the culprit and make sure that the incident does not occur again. Meanwhile, the local law enforcement is happy that the shot elephant returns and has increased its security in the area.
A total of $33,750 has been raised to reward anyone with information on the shooter's identity. Lieutenant Jerry Davis of the Tupelo Police tells NBC News he is frustrated that the case can last this long and the shooter still unidentified. Still, Lieutenant Davis is hopeful that the arrest will be made soon. Authorities are urging anybody with even just a small detail regarding the shooting to come forward. Lieutenant Jerry Davis says, "You might not think it's that big, but it could be very helpful to us."
Shot elephant returns despite an unsettling shooting last year and now more precautions are taken to protect the elephants of the circus. Elephants are also protected by the Federal Endangered Species Act in the U.S. As of today, there is no evidence of the injury but for a small scar on Carol's shoulder. Dr. Danielle Graham, Carol's veterinarian says she's fully recovered and that "her health today is 100 percent."
To watch one of Carol's performances, see video below.
This article is copyrighted by Travelers Today, the travel news leader
