Video: UPDATE: Elephant Expected To Make Full Recovery

[bitsontherun PZQgwxUR]

Update: Statement on Elephant Touring with Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey in Tupelo, Mississippi; public can sign get-well card…

Statement on Elephant Touring with Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey Circus in Tupelo

(Tuesday, April 9, 2013 – 4:33PM EST) Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey® veterinarian Dr. Dennis Schmitt has examined Carol, the 39 year-old touring endangered Asian elephant injured earlier this morning at Bancorp South Arena in Tupelo, Mississippi.

Dr. Schmitt located a dime size point of entry on the elephant’s shoulder. Upon further evaluation the elephant is active, mobile and comfortable. She is being treated with medication and will be taken to Springfield, Missouri where she will remain under veterinary care over the next several weeks. Carol is expected to make a full recovery.

Ringling Bros.® thanks the on-call veterinarian for her quick response, evaluation and treatment of the elephant. We also extend our appreciation to the animal husbandry staff and veterinarian technician for their diligence and comfort given to Carol throughout this time.

Tupelo law enforcement is continuing to investigate this matter to help ensure and maintain a safe environment for all. No other animals or humans were injured during this morning’s incident. Ringling Bros. will open this weekend in Tupelo where Children of All Ages will be able to experience Ringling Bros. majestic elephants Duchess and Patty up close.

CVB PRESS RELEASE

TUPELO, Miss. — Tupelo residents are banding together to show support for Carol, an elephant injured by criminal action, who is part of the Ringling Brothers and Barnum & Bailey Circus featured at the BancorpSouth Arena April 11-14. An “elephant-sized” card will be on display at the Tupelo Convention & Visitors Bureau. The public is invited to sign the card for Carol and drop-off donations of canned cat and dog food, blankets, sheets, and towels for the Tupelo-Lee Humane Society.

“Tupelo is widely-known for being an extremely safe community for its citizens and visitors. We are shocked and infuriated at this senseless crime against an innocent animal,” said Mayor Jack Reed, Jr. “We hope to show the true ‘Tupelo Spirit,’ by coming together as a community to support Carol and provide for the needs of the animals right here at home.”

The card will be available to sign in the lobby of the Tupelo Convention & Visitors Bureau at 399 East Main Street in Downtown Tupelo from Wednesday, April 10 at 10:00 a.m. until Friday, April 12 at 4:00 p.m. The card will then be moved to the BancorpSouth Arena, where circus attendees can sign the card and drop off donations for the Tupelo-Lee Humane Society.

“We invite everyone to show your support for Carol by signing the card and dropping off a donation for the Tupelo-Lee Humane Society,” said Neal McCoy, executive director of the Tupelo Convention & Visitors Bureau. “From the Tupelo Bark Park to the incredible work of the Tupelo-Lee Humane Society, our city’s love for animals is apparent, and we want to show that same encouragement to Carol.”