William (Bill) Morris, the owner of Elephant Encounter, was videotaped hitting the Asian elephant, Cora, with a bullhook in 2003. Cora is now 58 years old. In addition, Morris has failed to meet minimal federal standards for the care of animals used in exhibition as established in the Animal Welfare Act (AWA). The United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) has cited him for repeated failure to provide adequate veterinary care and for failure to provide a nutritional diet to two undersized elephants, shelter from the elements, and adequate ventilation.
The African elephant and Asian elephant in the Elephant Encounter show were forcibly removed from their families many years ago and have been forced to perform these tricks all their lives. Is this something we want to support? The hauling around of elephants in ill-ventilated crates, who are forced to perform "tricks" for our amusement? Please sign  and share our petition asking that the Jackson County Fair board remove "Elephant Encounter" from the 2015 Fair line-up. Thank you.

Elephant Encounter

P.O. Box 913

Gibsonton, FL 33534

USDA License #58-C-0123

William Morris has failed to meet minimal federal standards for the care of animals used

in exhibition as established in the Animal Welfare Act (AWA). The United States

Department of Agriculture (USDA) has cited William Morris for repeated failure to

provide adequate veterinary care and for failure to provide a nutritional diet to two

undersized elephants, shelter from the elements, and adequate ventilation. William Morris

leases his elephant act to circuses and fairs. Contact PETA for documentation.

Animals used in recent shows: two African elephants named Linda and Shannon and one

Asian elephant named Cora.

June 17, 2002: While performing with the Shrine Circus in Menomonie, Wis., Morris' elephant

Mary and another elephant bolted out of a circus tent during a show, scattering crowds. Mary

hiked two miles through town and was recaptured at the University of Wisconsin-Stout campus

when trucks blocked her escape. One child was injured, and the elephants damaged a door at the

park and caused $600 in damage to a city truck. The Shriners had contracted with George Carden

Circus for the event.

December 13, 2001: A USDA inspector noted that Morris' elephant Linda was euthanized and

that Morris' elephant Mary was residing with the George Carden Circus and being handled by the

owner's son, Billy Morris Jr.

May 15, 2001: The USDA cited Morris for failure to have a primary facility for an African

elephant named Mary. Morris contracted with the city of Branson, Mo., to exhibit Mary for 30

weeks.

According to news reports, Mary was being kept in solitary confinement and used in a magic act

at Branson's Majestic Theatre.

March 8, 2001: Morris was cited by the USDA for failure to supply the required itinerary. A

USDA inspector was unable to conduct an animal welfare inspection because Morris had taken

the elephants on the road.

November 14, 2000: The USDA cited Morris for failure to provide adequate veterinary care. An

elephant named Linda was found to have angular limb deformities in at least three limbs,

degenerative joint disease, and periodic lameness.

The inspector wrote, "[T]here is still no regular recording on the daily salve and topical

applications on Shannon's temporal gland infection. There is no record of the original

recommendations on how to treat this; and there was no record that a veterinarian with

appropriate knowledge of elephants had examined this problem. There was also no record of the

attending veterinarian approving the substitution of alternative nutritional supplements, as cited

on the last inspection. The attending veterinarian reportedly prescribed that Adequan was to be

given; currently, Linda is not receiving this. The concrete floor of the barn may present special

problems for Linda; this should also be discussed with the vet."

September 12, 2000: The USDA cited Morris for failure to provide adequate veterinary care. An

elephant named Shannon with a 3 1/2-inch open sore on her left cheek needed to be examined

and evaluated by a veterinarian. An elephant named Linda was not receiving vitamins prescribed

by the attending veterinarian for a deformed right knee. There were no medical records detailing

treatments and dates for either elephant.

Morris was cited for failure to have acquisition records for the three elephants.

December 1, 1999: The USDA cited Morris for failure to comply with minimum standards of

veterinary care. An elephant handler did not have a current tuberculosis test, and there were no

records of dewormings.

Morris was also cited for failure to store food in a manner that prevents contamination.

The inspector noted that two elephants appeared to have overgrown soles and instructed Morris

to continue monitoring the elephants' weight.

November 24, 1998: The USDA inspector noted that an African elephant named Shannon

continued to suffer from a chronic problem of poor weight gain. There was no current record of

veterinary consultations or recommendations to treat chronic hyperkeratosis in the two African

elephants.

April 21, 1998: The USDA cited Morris for failure to maintain the structural strength of the

elephant enclosure. Morris was also instructed to eliminate potentially hazardous escape routes

and to end the practice of leaving trailer doors open and tied with only a strap during transport.

April 9, 1998: Morris was cited by the USDA for improper food storage, inadequate pest

control, and failure to maintain the structural strength of the travel trailer.

December 16, 1997: In a letter to the USDA, Morris wrote, "[T]he trailer I transport our

elephants in does not have enough ventilation."

December 15, 1997: The USDA cited Morris for failure to provide adequate veterinary care.

The elephants were in need of foot and skin care, and the two African elephants were "not of

appropriate body size for their age." The inspector wrote, "[T]here was no consistent nutritional

plan designed by the vet to provide a balanced diet."

Morris was also cited for failure to maintain the structural strength of the travel trailer and

outdoor corral and for failure to provide adequate shelter.

The inspector noted, "The elephants do not have sufficient space to make normal postural and

social adjustments with adequate freedom of movement within the trailer." Morris was also

notified of the need to improve ventilation in the travel trailer.

December 18, 1996: The USDA cited Morris for failure to provide the elephants with adequate

foot and skin care.

For more information, contact:

PETA

501 Front St.

Norfolk, VA 23510

757-622-738