Elephant | featured news

Tragedy struck at a Pennsylvania circus Friday after a startled elephant stomped its trainer to death, police said.

Motola, a female elephant who stepped on a land mine 10 years ago and endured painful operations, was fitted Saturday in Thailand for a permanent artificial leg.

Michael Jackson may have vacated his Neverland abode, but ever since announcing his London concert residency, the King of Pop has brought a bit of Peter Pan-style fantasy back to town. For his shows, MJ is purportedly bringing backup -- in the form of snakes, a panther, tropical birds, three monkeys and an elephant.

More MJ on SPIN.com:
>> UK Farewell Extended to 50 Nights in London
>> Michael Jackson Suffering From Deadly Lung Disease?

About 30 elephants surrounded the 83-year-old man and trampled him until his body was torn into pieces.

Long-running lawsuit alleging abuse of Ringling Bros. circus elephants goes to trial