RUNAWAY CIRCUS ELEPHANT SNARLS EDSA TRAFFIC

Quezon City, May 9, 2003 -- A behemoth from Thailand named Jumbo, one of 
the 10 stars in the "Elephant World" show at the Araneta Center in Cubao, 
escaped from his trainers yesterday afternoon and brought both chaos and 
cheers on the streets of Quezon City.

Jumbo, probably affected by the oppressive summer heat, became restless 
soon after a Thai trainer finished giving the elephants their food ration.

When the trainer tried to pacify the elephant, he turned rowdy and rammed 
his way out of the elephants' enclosure. The trainer was slightly hurt.

"The elephant crossed over a fence and just ran away during practice. This 
is unusual since Jumbo is obedient," said a handler.

Jumbo headed for EDSA and strolled past Nepa-Q-Mart, with security guards 
and other employees of the Araneta Center in pursuit.

Police kept back the cheering crowds trying to catch a glimpse of the 
non-indigenous animal lumbering through the traffic-clogged streets.

He turned to Kamuning street and was eventually cornered along Tomas Morato 
avenue.

The driver of a San Miguel beer delivery truck was credited for finally 
blocking Jumbo's way, allowing his handlers to chain him to a small tree 
before placating him with bananas and cooling him with water jets.

Jumbo's "free show" ended shortly past 2 p.m. after a trainer shot him with 
a tranquilizer dart and reunited him with his fellow elephants. (By RAYMOND 
AFRICA, Malaya)