Ringling Elephant Hit in Driveby Shooting

An elephant from the Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey Circus was hit by a bullet in a drive-by shooting in Mississippi, according to media reports.

The 39-year-old circus elephant was not seriously hurt in the shooting Tuesday outside an arena in Tupelo, Miss., according to an Associated Press report in The Sarasota Herald Tribune.

Carol the elephant was standing in an outside pen at the BancorpSouth Arena, when the shooting took place at about 2 a.m., Tuesday, April 9.

A vehicle drove by the arena and shots were fired into an area where the animals are kept, according to Tupelo police, who are investigating the incident.

The circus arrived in town for a series of performances; Carol, has been pulled from the show. She is being monitored by a veterinarian.

The shooting has led to an outpouring of concern on social media sites, and rewards to find the shooter.

More than $20,000 is being offered, with Crime Stoppers of Northeast Mississippi, U.S. Fish and Wildlife and Ringling Brothers contributing, according to WTVA.com.

Dr. Dennis Schmitt described the wound as "dime sized" and located on the elephant's shoulder. Carol is being treated with antibiotics, and is active, according to WTVA.com.

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