A circus elephant named Viola, from the Jordan World Circus, caused quite a stir in Butte, Montana when she broke through a fence and took a brief walk down the city’s busiest street after being spooked by the sound of a vehicle backfiring. The commotion caused noontime traffic to come to a standstill as onlookers pulled out their phones to capture the unusual sight. Olivia LaBeau, who was driving home from a coffee run, was surprised to see the elephant casually strolling down the road in front of her car. The elephant eventually made her way to a convenience store and casino parking lot before moving on to a residential lawn to munch on some grass.
The unexpected incident was captured on surveillance cameras from several angles, showing the elephant walking down the street with a trainer beside her. In just a few minutes, the circus team was able to coax Viola back into a trailer with another elephant. Despite her escapade, Viola was able to perform in two circus shows later that day without any issues. However, the incident drew criticism from animal rights groups such as PETA and Compassion Works International, who claimed that forcing animals to perform in circuses poses a danger to both the animals and the public.
Viola and the Jordan World Circus were scheduled to have performances in the state capital of Helena the following day, showing no signs of being deterred by the incident. Civic Center manager Bill Melvin described the fence that the elephant broke through as “kind of rickety,” suggesting that it may not have been properly secured. The circus team acted quickly to safely return Viola to her trailer, with another elephant eagerly greeting her upon her return. The incident ended without any injuries to Viola or the public, but it sparked a debate about the treatment of animals in circuses and the potential dangers involved in their performances.
The unusual sight of a circus elephant roaming the streets of Butte, Montana caught the attention of residents and passersby, many of whom were quick to capture the moment on their phones. Olivia LaBeau, who witnessed the elephant crossing the street in front of her car, felt compelled to record the event to prove to others that she had indeed seen an elephant in the city. Viola’s stroll down Harrison Avenue briefly interrupted the flow of traffic and caused quite a spectacle, drawing attention to the presence of exotic animals in circuses and the potential risks involved in their public appearances.
Despite the uproar caused by Viola’s escapade, the Jordan World Circus continued with their scheduled performances in Butte without any major disruptions. The incident left many questioning the safety measures in place for circus animals and the necessity of their performances in modern entertainment. The circus industry has faced increasing scrutiny in recent years, with animal rights activists calling for a ban on the use of exotic animals in performances. The attention drawn to Viola’s walk through the streets of Butte may serve as a reminder of the ethical considerations involved in using animals for entertainment purposes.
