30 years ago, a circus elephant who went on a rampage in Honolulu was killed

HONOLULU (HawaiiNewsNow) - Thirty years ago, on Saturday, Aug. 20, 1994, a circus elephant killed her trainer before a horrified crowd at the Blaisdell Center, escaped from the arena, and then ran through the streets of Kakaako before police fatally gunned her down.

Tyke was a 20-year-old female African bush elephant from Mozambique who performed with Circus International.

During the performance at the Neal Blaisdell Center, she killed her trainer, Allen Campbell, and seriously injured her groomer, Dallas Beckwith. She also panicked the crowd, which caused several more injuries.

Tyke escaped into the streets of downtown Honolulu during the afternoon rush.

Police fired 87 bullets into Tyke over the next hour as she charged after pedestrians and smashed vehicles throughout several blocks.

Tyke died of massive nerve damage and hemorrhaging of the brain.

According to Tyrone Taylor, Tyke’s trainer at the time, who was interviewed in the documentary film “Tyke the Elephant Outlaw,” Tyke had been involved in three incidents before the attack in August of 1994.

Prior to the attack, she had escaped from performances in Pennsylvania, North Dakota, and Canada, resulting in significant damage and injuries.

Her behavior raised concerns about the treatment and management of circus animals, with allegations of abuse surfacing.

Her trainer, Campbell, was described as a “punishment-type” trainer with several complaints of abuse filed against him. He was said to work the elephants hard. An autopsy found that he had cocaine and alcohol in his system.

The tragic event was captured on video by spectators and professionals, highlighting the severe issues within the circus industry.

Tyke’s death became a symbol of the broader conversation about animal rights and the ethics of using wild animals for entertainment.

In the aftermath, numerous lawsuits were filed against Circus International, its owner, John Cuneo Jr., and other parties. These lawsuits settled out of court underscored the trauma experienced by witnesses and the need for reform.

Tyke’s story influenced Hawaii legislation, eventually leading to a ban on exotic animal acts.

In 2018, Hawaii became the second state to prohibit such performances.

Tyke’s body was examined posthumously but ultimately discarded in a landfill, while her memory endures through advocacy efforts and ongoing discussions about animal welfare in circuses.

Tyke has a memorial plaque in the pet cemetery at Valley of the Temples Cemetery in Honolulu.