{"id":187464,"date":"2026-03-02T23:39:13","date_gmt":"2026-03-02T23:39:13","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-tx\/187464\/"},"modified":"2026-03-02T23:39:13","modified_gmt":"2026-03-02T23:39:13","slug":"will-abused-elephant-with-history-of-escapes-run-amok-on-lubbock-streets-peta-to-alert-families-to-circus-danger","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-tx\/187464\/","title":{"rendered":"Will Abused Elephant With History of Escapes Run Amok on Lubbock Streets? PETA to Alert Families to Circus Danger"},"content":{"rendered":"

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For Immediate Release:
March 2, 2026<\/p>\n

Contact:
David Perle 202-483-7382\t\t<\/p>\n

\t\tLubbock, Texas \u2013 <\/p>\n

An elephant who\u00a0ran panicked through the streets of Butte, Montana<\/a>, is headed to Lubbock. Viola, the \u201cMost Desperate Elephant in the World,\u201d has attempted to escape from her abusers\u00a0at least\u00a0four times\u2014but that hasn\u2019t stopped the Jordan World Circus from forcing this 56-year-old elephant to perform at the South Plains Fair Park Coliseum on Wednesday. To mark the circus\u2019s visit, PETA supporters will gather outside with a giant banner proclaiming, \u201cFree Viola: Beaten and Chained for Circuses\u201d to urge Jordan World Circus to go animal-free\u2014for the animals\u2019 safety\u00a0and\u00a0the public\u2019s<\/a>.<\/p>\n

Viola was taken from her home and family in Asia as a baby and has spent\u00a0five decades\u00a0in chains under the notorious Carson & Barnes Circus\u2014which supplies elephants to the Jordan World Circus\u2014and is forced to perform grueling and painful tricks in shows,\u00a0even while suffering from chronically swollen feet and other painful, debilitating ailments.<\/p>\n

\u201cWhile some people run away to join the circus, Viola the elephant keeps trying to run away\u00a0from\u00a0the circus, where she\u2019s spent a lifetime suffering in chains and servitude,\u201d says PETA President Tracy Reiman. \u201cPETA is calling on Jordan World Circus to end these archaic and cruel animal acts, and for everyone to stay away until they do.\u201d<\/p>\n

Where:\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Outside the South Plains Fair Park Coliseum, 801-899 Avenue A (near the intersection with 9th\u00a0Street), Lubbock<\/p>\n

When:\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0Wednesday, March 4, 3:30 p.m.<\/p>\n

\"\"\"\"<\/a>Viola being forced to give rides by a handler carrying a sharp metal bullhook. Photo: PETA<\/p>\n

Why:\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 In nature, elephants live in matriarchal herds, protect one another, and share mothering responsibilities for the herds\u2019 babies.\u00a0Video footage<\/a>\u00a0shows the head trainer for Carson & Barnes Circus\u2014which has been\u00a0cited<\/a>\u00a0for more than 100 violations of the federal Animal Welfare Act\u2014instructing trainers to sink sharp, steel-tipped bullhooks into elephants\u2019 flesh and twist them until the animals scream.<\/p>\n

PETA\u2014whose motto reads, in part, that \u201canimals are not ours to use for entertainment\u201d\u2014points out that\u00a0<\/a>Every Animal Is Someone<\/a>\u00a0and offers free\u00a0Empathy Kits<\/a>\u00a0for people who need a lesson in kindness.\u00a0For more information, please visit\u00a0PETA.org<\/a>\u00a0or follow PETA on\u00a0X<\/a>,\u00a0Facebook<\/a>, or\u00a0Instagram<\/a>.<\/p>\n

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