Viola the elephant’s ‘tragic’ story: This wasn’t her first escape

The accompanying videos were humorous material for some — it’s not every day you encounter an elephant wandering down Harrison Avenue.

A representative from Carson & Barnes Circus, the company that owns the elephants, issued a statement Wednesday, which said, in part — “Although we are upset that she was scared and, in this situation, we are grateful that she remained calm and no injuries were sustained to her or any other bystanders.”

Her brief escape did not stop the two performances that were held Tuesday afternoon and night at the Butte Civic Center.

There’s more to Viola’s story, though.

Sara Groves, a spokesperson for People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals (PETA), informed The Montana Standard that this wasn’t Viola’s first escape. The last two were in 2010 and 2014.

Laura Hagen, director of captive wildlife at the Humane Society of the United States, reiterated that statement.

“This is the third time she has escaped the cruel and abusive captivity of the circus, endangering herself and members of the public,” said Hagen.

Groves also said Carson & Barnes Circus has been cited more than 100 times for violating the Animal Welfare Act. In addition, Groves highlighted a 2021 PETA investigation that showed Viola was being forced to perform even though she had chronically swollen feet.

The animal rights organization also claims to have video proof that elephants have been electroshocked and beaten with a bull hook.

“Viola’s desperate break for freedom follows decades of abuse and involuntary servitude,” said Debbie Metzler, PETA Foundation director of captive animal welfare.

According to a news release from the Humane Society of the U.S., Viola escaped from a traveling circus in Lynchburg, Virginia, and was injured when she fell down a hill. Four years later, she and two other elephants got loose in St. Charles, Missouri. Running through a parking lot, she received lacerations on both sides of her body, the society reported.

In an interview Tuesday with Viola’s handler of nearly 22 years, Armando Loyal told The Montana Standard that the elephant was getting a bath behind the Butte Civic Center when a truck backfired and scared her. Hence the escape.

The elephant's name was incorrectly reported to news organizations on Tuesday.

In an Aug. 15, 2023, interview with Spectrum News 1 in Wisconsin, Loyal said Viola would soon retire and live permanently in an Oklahoma sanctuary. 

The Spectrum reporting stated that Viola was with Circus World in Baraboo, Wisconsin, last summer and the decision to retire her, along with another elephant named Kelly, was for health reasons and the fact that both were close to 50 years old.

Last year was also the final year Circus World would be using elephants in summer shows. A spokesperson, Scott O’Donnell, said at the time that “the best of welfare has always gone into every decision we make with the animals in our care.”

“Kelly and Viola, Circus World’s elephants, take a final bow” was the Wisconsin State Journal headline on Aug. 31, 2023.

The two elephants were supposedly headed to the Endangered Ark Foundation, a private nonprofit in Hugo, Oklahoma, where they were to live out their days. Loyal, their longtime handler, was headed there as well.

Hagen described Endangered Ark as just another form of captivity.

“They are still using these elephants for entertainment,” said Hagen.

Meanwhile, PETA claims Viola also has problems with her rear legs, causing her further pain. After hearing of her escape in Butte, PETA officials lodged a complaint with the U.S. Department of Agriculture calling for an investigation of Carson & Barnes. In addition, a request was made that Viola be checked for any injuries she may have sustained during her brief escape.

Hagen hopes Viola, along with the rest of the elephants, will soon be taken from Endangered Ark.

“We would like to see them retired to a true sanctuary that will provide lifetime care for them,” said Hagen.