http://www.timesleader.com/news/Deat...4-09-2010.html

Death at the circus
Elephant stomps, kills its groomer

By Jen Marckini jmarckini@timesleader.com
Staff Writer

WILKES-BARRE – An animal groomer at the Irem Shrine Circus at the 109th Field Artillery Armory was killed Friday by the show’s elephant, Dumbo.


John Richards, media spokesman for Irem Shrine Circus, talks with reporters Friday evening at the 109th Armory in Wilkes-Barre about the death of an animal groomer by an elephant.


Amanda Walker-Serrano, right, and Jennifer Mullisky of Families Against Cruelty Together, with supporters of People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals, protest outside the 109th Armory in Wilkes-Barre before Friday night’s Irem Shrine Circus performance.


Initial reports indicated that the elephant was startled after coming in contact with some type of electrical wires and stomped its groomer, who subsequently died, according to city police Lt. Steve Olshefski. He didn’t know more about the wire issue.

Officials provided neither the groomer’s name nor further details of the incident they’re calling an accident.

The investigation has been turned over to the federal Occupational Safety and Health Administration, which had investigators on the scene Friday evening.

Luzerne County Coroner John P. Corcoran was also investigating the death. He was unavailable for comment.

Dumbo, a female African elephant, is the only elephant in the show’s entourage. The 7:15 p.m. performance went on as planned, but Dumbo did not participate, said John Richards, a spokesman for the circus.

“We’ve asked the circus if they wanted to perform tonight and as true performers they wanted the show to go on,” he said.

When the evening circus performance began, an announcer asked the crowd to rise, bow their heads and offer a moment of silence for a show worker who had been in an “accident.” The announcement did not say the worker died or that an elephant had been involved.

The groomer, a private contractor who works for the elephant trainer, fed, handled and lived with the animal, Richards said.

“This gentleman stayed with him,” he said. “It was like his best friend.”

Most of the performers just met the groomer this week, said Richards, who was notified of the accident shortly after the arrival of medical personnel around 4:30 p.m.

Richards said the elephant was not provoked. He said the incident occurred between the morning and evening shows in an area inside of the Armory, and there were no witnesses.

“It was a tragic accident,” Richards said. “It’s like losing a brother or sister in your own family. However, they understand life goes on and despite their grieving process, part of that process is the show going on.”

The Irem Shrine Circus contracts acts through Hamid Circus, Inc., a family-owned business based in New Jersey. The circus, which has been bringing shows to Wilkes-Barre the past 61 years, is a fundraiser that benefits the Irem Temple Uniformed Units.

This year’s show cost about $75,000, Richards said. Because of the budget, there are more human acts than previous years. The circus features 11 tigers, one lion, one elephant and a dog act.

Richards said there has never been a tragedy like this before. The circus has had injuries over the years, but no fatalities.

In 1974 a handler had to be rushed to the former Nesbitt Hospital in Kingston after being accidentally clawed in the jugular vein by a cat during an act. The handler survived his injuries and was back at the show three days later.

“What these folks do is extremely dangerous,” Richards said. “They make it look entertaining, fun and very easy.”

Pat Marks, who has spent more than 25 years advocating for better treatment of animals, protested with a small group of animal rights activists outside of the Armory.

The group has been boycotting the circus since Monday.

After news broke about the circus tragedy many protesters wrote up new signs that read: “Trainer just killed by elephant.” Marks’ sign read: “Stop elephant abuse.”

“It was waiting to happen,” said Marks, 53, of Wilkes-Barre. “We always knew it was going to happen eventually. This is exactly why we’re here.”

Lisa Walker, director of the local Family’s Against Cruelty Together, said the group protesting Friday is not against circus but is against the use of wild animals at circuses.

On Aug. 20, 1994, an African elephant crushed her trainer to death and injured a circus worker and 12 spectators at a Circus International matinee in Hawaii, according to a fact sheet about circus animals published by the Humane Society of the U.S.

Shrine-sponsored circuses have been cited and fined by the U.S. Department of Agricultures for failure to provide adequate care to animals, according to PETA.

Walker, 49, of Clarks Summit, said she has met with Shriners and went to city council three times to stop the show.

“I’m upset,” Walker said. “We’re just thankful it wasn’t a child.”

Dumbo was checked out and did not sustain injuries. The elephant was kept in a confined area Friday night. Today’s three shows are still on.

Jen Marckini, a Times Leader staff writer, may be reached at 829-7210.