The world’s most desperate elephant needs veterinary treatment, says new report
A leading elephant expert expresses “significant concern” for the physical and psychological health of Viola, who has tried four times to escape her life in a traveling circus.
Viola being forced to give rides by a handler carrying a sharp metal bullhook. Photo: PETA
A traveling circus elephant who escaped from her captors on at least four occasions must receive prompt veterinary treatment, according to a damning new report.
Based on firsthand observations during a visit to Jordan World Circus, in Nacogdoches, Texas, the report found “significant cause for concern regarding their physical and psychological health.”
Two elephants were observed, including 56-year-old Viola, who has been part of the Carson & Barnes Circus since poachers took her from the wild as an infant. She was recently dubbed ‘the most desperate elephant in the world’ by PETA, following her repeated attempts to escape.
According to Chris Draper, PhD – an elephant expert whose 25 years of experience includes roles at the Born Free Foundation and the Performing Animal Welfare Society – both elephants displayed “the negative effects of a traveling circus life.”
Both animals were suffering from poor footcare, with Viola having cracked heels and “chronically overgrown” nails. A front nail showed signs of discoloration and separation, a possible result of infection, abscessing, or trauma.
And she appeared unable to bend her right front wrist, when made to walk in circles while giving rides to visitors. This lack of flexion indicates some level of foot pain, possibly caused by arthritis or ligament injury.
Much of Viola’s life is spent standing for hours in the same spot, whether it be in a trailer – during transport between venues – or in holding areas, which Draper described as being “pitifully small.” Viola is then forced to give rides to visitors, and to perform. Her schedule is grueling; last year, she appeared in around 200 shows.
In the performance observed by Draper, Viola was required to sit upright on tubs, before stepping down from them on her front feet, with an estimated drop of two to three feet. She was also forced to perform a spinning movement, as part of the act.
Such unnatural behaviors would cause cumulative stress to joints, feet, and connective tissue, said Draper, who “strongly expects Viola’s debilitating foot problems to continuously worsen if she stays in the same environment.”
Foot-related conditions and arthritis are the leading causes of euthanasia in captive elephants in the US.
Draper also noted serious concerns about the waist-high lightweight temporary barrier separating the elephants from the public. As such, “there is a very high risk of escape under these conditions, which could very likely result in the elephants injuring themselves and/or humans.”
This is particularly alarming, given that Viola has already escaped four times before. In 2010, she sustained shoulder injuries and a broken toenail, having fallen into a ravine after bolting from handlers in Lynchburg, Virginia. In 2024, she escaped twice in as many months, in April and again in May, both in Butte, Montana.
After the second incident, the US Department of Agriculture (USDA) cited Carson & Barnes for failing to house elephants in a structurally sound enclosure.
In all, Carson & Barnes has been cited for more than 100 violations of the federal Animal Welfare Act, of which Viola’s escape was the most recent. Dating back to 1975, these include the repeated failure to provide veterinary treatment, to maintain safe transport trailers, and to keep animal care records.
Examples of animal cruelty, especially to elephants, have also been recorded on multiple occasions. Following Draper’s report, PETA is now calling on the USDA to investigate Hugo, Oklahoma-based Carson & Barnes once more.
PETA has also set up a petition urging Carson & Barnes to ditch animal acts for good.
Carson & Barnes began using elephants in 1954. It is among a dwindling number of American circuses that still use animals, and one of the few that leases its animals to other circuses. One of the oldest circuses, Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey Circus, recently stopped all animal performances for the first time since 1919.
Please join PETA in politely urging Carson & Barnes Circus to end its cruel animal acts and send Viola and the other elephants to reputable sanctuaries. Send email here.
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