Using wildlife for entertainment purposes has been long debated - the behavior of an animal can shift, and become highly aggressive. Police are investigating a death that occurred in the early morning hours in the southwestern German city, Buchen. The unidentified 65-year-old victim was out for his usual morning walk, picking up bottles and can along the way. Sadly, his ritual would end in violence.
The Luna Circus is not new to questioning behaviors. PETA accused the circus of not providing adequate and safe housing for their elephants in the past. A local vet claimed the housing conditions for the animals were unsafe. Yet, officials are trying to understand how one elephant named Baby was set free to encounter a man walking in the early morning hours.
Baby has a history of attacks against people, including a 12-year-old boy. The aggressive behavior exhibited is not natural for elephants, unless they feel threatened, especially for female elephants. Officials said the elephant could not unlock its own cage, alluding to the possibilities that someone did not check the lock or someone intentionally released the elephant.
The elephant was soon on the loose, just as the victim’s wife was wondering where her husband was. She was accustomed to his walks, but he had not returned at his usual time.
The wife left the couple’s home in search of her husband. She came across police cars and there before the vehicles was her husband’s body. Police are not releasing the extent of the man’s injuries leading to his death. Elephants are known for using their truck, feet and heads to crush their victims.
Following the discovery of the man’s body, the Luna Circus sent an employee to retrieve the elephant. Officials said the trainer was able to calm the aggressive elephant and get her to return to the tent.
The investigation will continue as officials scrutinize the troubled circus and determine responsibility for the death of the 65-year-old man.