Exotic Animal Incident Report

Reported: Dec 30, 2005
Location: McHenry County, Illinois

Animal: Asian Elephant
Animal Disposition: dead

Facility Type: Circus
Facility Name: Hawthorn Corporation

Category: Animal Death
Species: Elephant

Summary: Sue, one of several Hawthorn Corporation Asian elephants scheduled to move to The Elephant Sanctuary pursuant to a 2004 settlement with the USDA for dozens of violations of the Animal Welfare Act, died prior to her move after an adverse reaction to the tranquilizer administered during blood tests on 12/19/05. Sue was 40 years old. A necropsy was scheduled to be performed.

Source: Chicago Tribune, WQAD News Channel 8