Circus elephant shot in Mississippi drive-by

A circus elephant was injured by a bullet in a drive-by shooting last night in Tupelo, Mississippi. The elephant is in town for a series of performances with Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey Circus.

The elephant was in an area outside BancorpSouth Arena with the other circus animals, reports the Northeast Mississippi Daily Journal. A vehicle drove past the arena and fired into the area where the animals are kept, Police Chief Tony Carleton said.

Ringling Bros. Circus Spokesperson Melinda Hartline said the elephant is alert and under veterinary care. The elephant is expected to make a full recovery. No other animals or people were injured during the incident.

BancorpSouth Arena executive director Todd Hunt issued a statement to the Daily Journal to assure circus employees that elephant shootings aren't a normal Mississippi occurrence.

"We are frustrated and appalled that something like this would happen on our property. Our concern is not only for the animals, but circus and arena personnel that were in the area. We want to assure them that Tupelo is safe and that this isn't normal or tolerated."