The animal was merely sleeping in her pen when the gun was fired

Apr 10, 2013 06:56 GMT  ·  By

This past Tuesday night, a circus elephant owned by Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey was injured following a drive-by shooting in Mississippi. Since only one bullet was fired, authorities suspect that the animal was especially targeted by whoever was in the vehicle.

The animal is a female named Carol. Its belonging to an endangered species (i.e. Asian elephants) makes the act of shooting her a federal offense.

Because of the severity of the crime, authorities are now doing their best in trying to identify and catch the culprits. However, it appears that, for the time being at least, little progress has been made.

The people in charge of looking after Carol explain that, when the animal got shot, she was doing nothing more than sleeping in her pen outside Tupelo's BancorpSouth Arena.

Veterinarians who have had the chance to look at the elephant's injury explain that the bullet entered her body between her ear and her shoulder.

Seeing how Carol received immediate medical attention following her being injured in this manner, veterinarians believe that she will soon make a full recovery, USA Today reports.

“Upon further evaluation the elephant is active, mobile and comfortable. She is being treated with medication and will be taken to Springfield, Missouri where she will remain under veterinary care over the next several weeks. Carol is expected to make a full recovery,” reads a statement posted on BancorpSouth Arena's Facebook page.

Green-oriented group PETA (People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals) promise a $5,000 (about €3,830) reward to whoever steps forward and helps the authorities nab Carol's shooter.

The organization also ask that, while investigating this incident, police officers also look into how elephants are treated by Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey.

“It is in everyone's best interests, including the elephant's, to find the shooter. PETA is eager to help discover who committed this crime—and to ensure that Ringling is not continuing its pattern of forcing ailing and injured elephants to perform in its shows,” stated PETA member Delcianna Winders.