Mexico seizes circus animals after elephant escape

2008-09-24

Associated Press

Mexico has seized 12 animals from a circus a day after one of its elephants wandered onto a highway and was struck and killed by a bus.

Mexico's Environmental Protection office says the two Asian elephants and 10 Siberian tigers were not properly contained and were at risk of escaping. The office said Wednesday in a statement that inspectors found the elephants tied to the tire of a trailer. Doors on several of the trailers also lacked proper locks.

On Tuesday, a five-ton elephant named Indra escaped the circus, wandered onto a highway outside Mexico City and was hit by a bus carrying 41 passengers. The driver and the pachyderm died.

Mexican media reported that the elephant escaped as its keeper arrived to feed it.