The sound of a vehicle backfiring spooked a circus elephant while she was getting a pre-show bath in Butte, Montana, leading the pachyderm to break through a fence and take a brief walk, stopping noontime traffic on the city’s busiest street before being loaded back into a trailer.
Viola, an Asian elephant with the Jordan World Circus, still participated in two performances Tuesday after her time on the lam in the southwestern Montana city of about 35,000 people that in the late 1800s was the world’s largest copper-producing area.
Viola was getting a bath behind the Butte Civic Center just after noon on Tuesday when she was startled, Civic Center manager Bill Melvin said.
She went through a “kind of rickety” fence and went onto Harrison Avenue, a four-lane street, stopping traffic and causing folks to pull out their cellphones to take photos and video. Viola walked about half a block in the road before turning into the parking lot of a convenience store and casino, Melvin said.
The U.N. rights chief says eastern Congo's escalating violence is being forgotten by the world
Texas A&M rides dominating sweep of Vandy to top of college baseball rankings
Raiders pass rusher Maxx Crosby says he has recovered from a knee injury that limited practice time
Royals catcher Salvador Perez sidelined by mild groin strain
Asian Americans more likely to believe in climate change: AP
John Sterling retires from Yankees broadcast booth at age 85 a few weeks into 34th season
Bill meant to improve math skills passes as Kentucky lawmakers approach end of legislative session
Mainland urges Taiwan to return to 1992 Consensus to resume dialogue
The OTHER glamorous aide supporting Trump at his trial: Meet his golf partner Natalie Harp
2 killed in vessel collision in waters off east China
Edmunds: Avoid these 3 mistakes when buying a used car sight unseen
WNBA will pay for flights for playoffs and back