Circus Elephant Escapes During Bath, Briefly Stops Traffic in Butte, Montana

On Tuesday, a circus elephant named Viola had a moment of excitement in Butte, Montana. While she was getting a pre-show bath, the sound of a vehicle backfiring startled her, causing her to break through a fence and take a brief walk along Harrison Avenue, a four-lane street in the city.

Stopping Traffic

Viola's unexpected stroll stopped the noontime traffic, causing quite a spectacle as onlookers took photos and videos of the unusual event. The elephant walked about half a block before turning into the parking lot of a convenience store and casino.

Town Pump surveillance cameras captured the elephant's journey, showing her walking down the street and through the parking lot with a trainer by her side. After a short stop to snack on some grass in a residential lawn, circus crew members brought another elephant in a trailer to coax Viola back in. Within 10 minutes, the startled elephant was safely back in the trailer.

Continued Performances

After her unexpected adventure, Viola still participated in two circus performances on Tuesday night. Bill Melvin, the Civic Center manager, confirmed that despite the brief escape, Viola returned to perform without any issues.

Animal rights groups, including People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals and Compassion Works International, criticized the incident, expressing concern for the safety of both the elephant and the public. They emphasized that such incidents could be avoided if circuses did not force animals to perform.