Zoo horror as 8,000lb elephant backs female trainer into a wall and crushes her to death

Daily Mail ^ | 1/16/11

[nagdt]

I feel badly for the woman and her loved ones. She must have known the dangers of her job.

Zoo’s are interesting to visit every so often, but I always walk away feeling sorry for the animals in captivity. Not surprized that this happens on ocassion.

We have a pretty nice zoo here in San Antonio, if you’re into going to the Zoo.

[mewykwistmas]

Can’t blame the elephant, they weren’t made to be kept in zoos

[Ezekiel]

Ms James was fatally injured while performing routine chores involving Edie, a 26-year-old, 8,000lb elephant

3,2,1 until that certain pic shoes up.

RIP

[maddog55]

Since it was an elephant, Liberals will turn this into another right-wing murder conspiracy.

[Haiku Guy]

They ain’t great big grey puppy dogs. African elephants are always looking to kill you.

[Suvroc10]

Whenever I read these stories of animals going nuts and killing their trainers...I...I...can’t help but think that they really, really hate living in captivity.

[MadMitch]

Always carry a concealed mouse on you when working with elephants to scare them if they get uppity.

[Twinkie]

I think they hate living in captivity even if the conditions are in human opinion good. In our state, many years ago, an elephant was hanged for trampling a trainer to death. The best I remember, it was in a parade, and when it saw watermelons in a stall, it just went wild. Elephants love watermelons; and one has to wonder if it had even seen a watermelon since it was taken from its original home country.

[Wizdum]

Maybe the elephant was tired of being paid in peanuts?

[Lockbar]

Some how, the Tea Party is involved.

[Leftism is Mentally Deranged]

Animals are not people. They are not “aware” as are people. Animals are not responsible when they injure people. They are doing as animals do.

[vetvetdoug]

I worked at the Knoxville zoo back in 1980-1981 before and during veterinary college. My chores were cleaning out the elephant exhibit from time to time. One African had a pretty volatile disposition at times so I stayed clear of her but one time I was intent on cleaning up and didn't pay attention to where she was and she thumped me with her trunk. It was like being hit with a large baseball bat. She sent me reeling up against the wall and I left the enclosure rapidly and waited for her to go back out. I can see where in one moment of unawareness an elephant could do some real damage...on purpose or just by accident. I feel for the family of this woman.

[alexander_busek]

In our state, many years ago, an elephant was hanged for trampling a trainer to death.

"Hanged?" As in "sent to the gallows?" As in "given a neck-tie party?"

Regards,

[flowerplough]

... zoo spokesman insisted the death of 33-year-old Stephanie James was nothing more than a terrible and tragic accident - the elephant accidentally backed the female trainer into a wall and accidentally crushed her to death.

[null and void]

3,2,1 until that certain pic shoes up.

Here ya go...

[Vaduz]

How slow do you have to be to let an elephant back you into a wall and crush you?.

[Scoutmaster]

I haven't been to the Knoxville Zoo since 1976 or 1977, when I visited to pick up two Bengal Tiger cubs that were being surplussed. The zoo had lost funding because the director had supported an unsuccessful candidate for mayor.

As with many zoos, you can tell where a long-term director started at the zoo by what is emphasized. At the time, Knoxville had so many large cats that most were kept in areas not on display to the public, and only a couple were let out into the public enclosure each day.

I remember walking down a foul-smelling underground hallway with a center drain running the length of it, lit by a couple of lightbulbs hanging by wires from the ceiling, corn crib cages on either side of me, and big cats playfully pawing out from each side, paws probably within 24" of each shoulder as I walked on the metal drain cover like a tightrope.

The mama Bengal and her cubs were in the last cage on the right.

I remember watching Silence of the Lambs years later and having the memory of my walk spring sharply to mind as I watched Clarice Starling's walk down that corridor to seek Hannibal Lecter.

[who knows what evil?]

Edie had an itch that needed scratching...