Elephants end up loose on motorway in Spain
Circus lorry overturns near Albacete causing the death of one animal
One elephant died and several others roamed loose on a Spanish motorway following a lorry crash.
The incident took place in the town of Pozo Canada near Albacete.
One of the elephants died from injuries that it sustained, while the driver of the lorry was not hurt, local police say.
Subscribe to The Week
Escape your echo chamber. Get the facts behind the news, plus analysis from multiple perspectives.
Sign up for The Week's Free Newsletters
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
The vehicle “is believed to be a circus lorry”, says the BBC.
Police released pictures of the elephants appearing to feed on grass by crash barriers before being led to a safer area.
In a tweet police said: “The A30 has been closed because a lorry has overturned. Elephants are loose on the tarmac.
“The motorway has been closed around the Pozo Canada area heading towards Murcia.”
The animals were eventually safely transported to a nearby town in a new vehicle.
The director of the government department responsible for Spain's road transport network, Gregorio Serrano, posted a video of the elephant evacuation on Twitter.
The accident “is believed to have happened after the HGV they were in overtook another vehicle and the driver lost control as he headed back into the slow lane,” says the Daily Telegraph.
Silvia Barquero, the president of Spanish animal welfare political party Pacma, said the animals belonged to the Gottani Circus, which has performed several shows in the area over Easter.
She tweeted: “The lorry that has overturned was carrying Circo Gottani elephants. Show them more kindness. We treat animals like slaves. Enough of circuses that use animals.”
Sign up for Today's Best Articles in your inbox
A free daily email with the biggest news stories of the day – and the best features from TheWeek.com
-
7 beautiful towns to visit in Switzerland during the holidays
The Week Recommends Find bliss in these charming Swiss locales that blend the traditional with the modern
By Catherine Garcia, The Week US Published
-
The Week contest: Werewolf bill
Puzzles and Quizzes
By The Week US Published
-
'This needs to be a bigger deal'
Instant Opinion Opinion, comment and editorials of the day
By Justin Klawans, The Week US Published
-
Has the Taliban banned women from speaking?
Today's Big Question 'Rambling' message about 'bizarre' restriction joins series of recent decrees that amount to silencing of Afghanistan's women
By Harriet Marsden, The Week UK Published
-
Cuba's energy crisis
The Explainer Already beset by a host of issues, the island nation is struggling with nationwide blackouts
By Rebekah Evans, The Week UK Published
-
Putin's fixation with shamans
Under the Radar Secretive Russian leader, said to be fascinated with occult and pagan rituals, allegedly asked for blessing over nuclear weapons
By Harriet Marsden, The Week UK Published
-
Chimpanzees are dying of human diseases
Under the radar Great apes are vulnerable to human pathogens thanks to genetic similarity, increased contact and no immunity
By Harriet Marsden, The Week UK Published
-
Deaths of Jesse Baird and Luke Davies hang over Sydney's Mardi Gras
The Explainer Police officer, the former partner of TV presenter victim, charged with two counts of murder after turning himself in
By Austin Chen, The Week UK Published
-
Quiz of The Week: 24 February - 1 March
Puzzles and Quizzes Have you been paying attention to The Week's news?
By Sorcha Bradley, The Week UK Published
-
Will mounting discontent affect Iran election?
Today's Big Question Low turnout is expected in poll seen as crucial test for Tehran's leadership
By Sorcha Bradley, The Week UK Published
-
Sweden clears final NATO hurdle with Hungary vote
Speed Read Hungary's parliament overwhelmingly approved Sweden's accession to NATO
By Peter Weber, The Week US Published