Leading Experts Challenge Coroner On Elephant Handler Death

In Defense of Animals says new information refutes "accident" determination

San Rafael, Calif. - In Defense of Animals (IDA) sent a letter to Luzerne County Coroner John Corcoran today challenging his determination that the death of a Shrine Circus elephant handler last week was "positively an accident." The elephant Dumbo kicked the handler, throwing him 20 feet. IDA is asking Corcoran to revisit his decision in light of new information provided by leading experts, including one of the world’s most renowned elephant biologists.

In IDA's letter, Dr. Joyce Poole, a world expert on elephant behavior who has studied wild elephants for over 35 years, refutes the idea that Dumbo did not intend to strike his handler, saying:

"With a body weighing six tons elephants are extremely careful and rarely do anything by accident. They have superior sense of hearing, an incredible sense of smell and they are able to detect minute vibrations via their feet. Dumbo would have known that Anderson was approaching her from behind; she would have been able to smell, feel and hear him. Dumbo may not have intended to kill her keeper with her kick, but she certainly intended to kick him."

Since 1990 at least 14 human deaths and more than 135 injuries in the U.S. have been attributed to elephants; the majority in circuses.

Zoological consultant Peter Stroud explains: "There is evidence that captive elephants are prone to deliberately attack their trainers and others associated with their care. We might conclude that this tendency is related to the unnatural situation in which captive elephants are kept and the suppression of their natural behavior."

Elephants in circuses spend their lives in chains and in the tight confinement of trucks and train cars, constantly transported from city to city. Trainers wield a bullhook, a metal-tipped device similar to a fireplace poker used to hook, prod, and beat elephants into submission. Electric shock devices are also used.

"The Coroner's office sent a dangerous message to the public when it suggested that Dumbo's actions were accidental, lulling the public into a false sense of security. This elephant had been giving rides to children and families the very week she killed her handler," said Catherine Doyle, IDA Elephant Campaign Director. "This was not an accident or isolated incident. It will happen again."

For more information, please visit www.HelpElephants.com. Read IDA's letter to the Coroner.

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
April 15, 2010

Contact: Catherine Doyle, 323-301-5730, zoos@idausa.org, Deborah Robinson, 860-836-7761, circuses@idausa.org