**BREAKING: Rogue Elephant Wreaks Havoc on Montana Roads, Brings Traffic to a Standstill**
Butte, MT – In a bizarre incident that has left residents of Butte scratching their heads, a marauding elephant escaped from a traveling circus and went on a wild joyride through the city’s streets, causing chaos and pandemonium wherever it went.
The elephant, identified as 12-year-old Rani the Elephant, broke free from the “Cirque de la Lune” circus, which was in town for a three-day run, and made a beeline for the nearest highway. Witnesses described the scene as “absolute pandemonium” as Rani, estimated to be around 10,000 pounds of pure, unadulterated elephant, trumpeted her way down Interstate 15, sending cars screeching to a halt and drivers fleeing for cover.
“I was driving to work when suddenly, out of nowhere, there’s this massive elephant just strolling down the highway, eating tree branches and knocking over trash cans like they were toys,” said local resident, Jane Smith. “I mean, I’ve seen some weird things in Montana, but this was something else. I was like, ‘Is this real life?'”
As Rani made her way through the city, she left a trail of destruction in her wake, crushing a parked car, uprooting a light pole, and sending a flock of startled seagulls flying. Miraculously, no one was seriously injured, although several drivers were treated for “elephant-induced shock.”
“It was like she was on a mission from God,” said Butte Police Chief, John Doe. “We’re still trying to figure out how she managed to escape from the circus, but we’re working on it. In the meantime, we’re advising residents to stay indoors and keep their windows closed, lest they want to become an impromptu elephant snack.”
Rani was eventually corralled by a team of brave (or foolhardy) animal control officers, who managed to sedate her and return her to the safety of the circus grounds.
When asked for comment, the circus’s publicist claimed that Rani was “just exercising her natural instincts” and that she was “not as mischievous as she seemed.”
The “Cirque de la Lune” circus has been in Butte for the past week, and Rani’s escape has raised questions about the safety and security of the city’s roads. As one resident quipped, “Well, at least she’s not as rowdy as the Montana State Legislature.”
**UPDATE:** The “Cirque de la Lune” circus has announced that Rani will be receiving extra special treatment and a new, elephant-sized straitjacket to prevent future great escapes. In the meantime, residents of Butte are advised to keep a safe distance and not try to feed or pet Rani, lest they want to become her next meal.
