Underfed elephant needs to add a ton

TAMPA, Fla., Nov. 11 (UPI) -- Officials at an animal sanctuary say an elephant seized from a Florida circus trainer is about a ton underweight.

Ned, a 21-year-old Asian elephant, weighed in at around 7,500 pounds when he was brought to The Elephant Sanctuary in Tennessee last weekend, the Tampa Tribune reported Tuesday.

"He is curious and quite attentive," said Executive Director Carol Buckley. "But it breaks our hearts to see how timid and fearful he is."

Ned was taken from the trainer by the U.S. Department of Agriculture after officials determined the animal was seriously underweight.

The St. Petersburg (Fla.) Times said Tuesday that the trainer, Lance Ramos, was cited for violating the Animal Welfare Act in 2000 after another elephant got loose and killed Ramos' sister.