Police Offer Reward For Drive-By Elephant Shooting

[HuffingtonPost]

WASHINGTON, April 11 (Reuters) - The drive-by shooting of an  elephant with the Ringling Bros. and Barnum and Bailey Circus in  Mississippi has led to a $33,000 reward for information leading  to an arrest and conviction, authorities said on Thursday.                

Carol, a 39-year-old Asian elephant, was hit in the shoulder  in Tupelo on Tuesday by a shot fired from a passing vehicle. The  elephant was in an enclosure outside an arena when it was  shot.                

The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service said in a statement the  shot left a dime-sized entry hole but the animal is "active,  mobile and comfortable and is being treated with medication."                

The shooting has been deemed a federal offense because the  Asian elephant is an endangered species.                

Tupelo Police Captain Rusty Haynes said the reward had risen  to $33,000 by Thursday. No arrests have been made but police are  checking leads, he said.                

The Fish and Wildlife Service said it was contributing to  the reward along with Feld Entertainment Inc, the producer of  the Ringling circus; George Carden Circus International;  Crimestoppers of Northeast Mississippi; and former Mississippi  congressman Travis Childers.                

People For the Ethical Treatment of Animals (PETA), an  animal rights group, said it was putting $5,000 toward the  reward.                

The circus was in Tupelo for several shows.     (Reporting by Ian Simpson; Editing by Greg McCune)

Via: HuffingtonPost