Video: Elephant Breaks Out of Circus, Has Few Minutes of Freedom

An African elephant being made to perform in Europe’s largest circus, Circus Krone, broke out and enjoyed a few minutes of freedom before being recaptured.

The elephant, named Kenya, surprised residents of Neuwied in western Germany as she walked through neighborhoods and stopped traffic on busy roads.

Kenya’s captors were eventually able to recapture her and return her to the circus, bringing her few minutes of freedom to an end. It isn’t surprising that she wanted to escape.

PETA Germany has been exposing cruelty to animals at Circus Krone for years. Elephants used by the circus are reportedly tied up for 18 to 20 hours a day. Authorities found that when not on tour, Circus Krone keeps animals in conditions that violate numerous animal-welfare regulations, including confining them to enclosures that are too small. Authorities also found that the animals showed “clear defects in attitude as well as behavioral disorders which were classified by the expert as significant illnesses.” In other words, the animals showed signs of severe psychological distress. A previous director of the circus was convicted of violating Germany’s Animal Welfare Act by a district court.

PETA Germany will continue working to get elephants and all animals rescued from Circus Krone. Here in the U.S., you can demand an end to forced animal performances by contacting these circuses and telling them to get animals out of the act:

Check out our elephant t-shirt that will help you spread the word.