Police: Elephant who killed worker before Pa. circus show was shocked by electrical wire

Elephant startled by shock kills Pa. circus worker

WILKES-BARRE, Pa. — Authorities say a circus elephant that kicked a worker and killed him before a performance in northeastern Pennsylvania was shocked by an electrical wire.

Wilkes-Barre (WILKS’-behr-ee) Sgt. Ken Lukasavage says the Irem Shrine Circus groomer was trying to get the animal away from the wire when he was injured shortly before 4:30 p.m. Friday. The circus wasn’t open at the time.

Lukasavage says after the accident, the African elephant, Dumbo, was calm and responded to a trainer’s commands. Police say the elephant was confined and did not participate in Friday night’s performance.

Circus spokesman John Richards says he knows of no other problems with the elephant. He says the groomer was a private contractor who worked for the trainer.