KNOXVILLE, Tenn. -- The recent death of an elephant handler at the Knoxville Zoo is under scrutiny by state investigators, federal inspectors and a national zoo association.
Stephanie James, 33, died Jan. 14 of internal injuries after Edie, a 26-year-old African elephant, pushed her into the metal bars of a stall in the Stokely African Elephant Preserve barn. James and another keeper had been giving Edie and Jana, another female elephant, evening treats.
The death has drawn criticism from animal-rights advocates.
