Circus star in court for elephant abuse

A Ringling Bros and Barnum & Bailey circus star is on trial in California for elephant abuse.

A prosecutor told jurors today that Mark Gebel, 31, lunged at one of the giant animals and stabbed it an area he knew he would be sensitive.

Mr Gebel, who denies the charge, used the straight prong on a hooked stick known as an ankus to wound an elephant that was marching too slowly into a circus performance in San Jose, California, prosecutor Carolyn Powell said.

The incident caused a commotion that drew the attention of the Humane Society officers and a police sergeant who were monitoring the animals outside the arena.

The witnesses later noticed a blood stain on the elephant and another spot nearby where the elephant’s skin had been gouged, according to the prosecutor.

The trial continues today.