Circus Elephants Ill After Eating Weed

Press, Volume CIII, Issue 30575, 19 October 1964, Page 1

Circus Elephants Ill After Eating Weed

(From Our Own Reporter)

WESTPORT, Oct 18. Desperate efforts to save the life of a star elephant in Sole Bros, circus were being made at Westport this evening after the animal became ill on its arrival from Murchison at 5 p.m. It was suspected that Jo Dee, a 20-year-old elephant, and two others from the circus consumed the poisonous weed tutu when travelling in an open truck through the Buller Gorge. On arrival they were in an exhausted condition, but a local resident, Mr H. Pablecheque, gave them an incision to enable bleeding to relieve pressure from bloat

The other two elephants were kept working in an endeavour to free them from the complaint but Jo Dee collapsed. A Westport chemist. Mr J. G. Thomson, and the field inspector for the Agricultural Department Mr P. Dunne, were called in for advice. An urgent call was made to Mr V. Peterson, veterinary surgeon, of Hokitika, who made

a hurried trip of 90 miles to Westport to attend the sick animal. Mr Peterson got in touch with the Wellington and Sydney zoos in an endeavour to get some advice on treatment. A mobile crane was called in to try to lift the elephant to her feet, but the attempt was abandoned because of her weak condition. It is possible that an operation will be performed on the animal late tonight.

Jo Dee is the leader of the troop and is valued at £3OOO.