Elephant Collapses, Dies in Circus Tent
A head elephant that had entertained millions, including several presidents, dropped dead in a tent at Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey Circus.
Preliminary indications were that Targa suffered a heart attack Sunday, said Robert Schwartz, a spokesman for the circus.
Circus goers reported seeing the elephant fall twice and clamber back to her feet while she was chained with 21 other elephants in a tent outside the Civic Center, where the circus was performing.
Targa fell a third time and could not get up again, the spectators said.
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