Tuesday July 13, 02:00 PM

AIDS conference mascot kills handler

An official mascot at the World Aids Conference venue in Bangkok, an elephant, has killed a handler in a frenzied attack outside the venue.

Witnesses say the elephant, named "Absolute Handsome", used its trunk to beat a 59-year-old handler into the ground several times before trampling him.

In an unusual forensic investigation, Thai police checked the footprints of several elephants in a holding area before confirming the 19-year-old elephant was the prime suspect.

Officials believe it was among 20 elephants that took part in the gala opening of the AIDS conference two days ago.

Police say Handsome had been showing signs of strong sexual urges and let out repeated wails leading up to the attack.

"Sud Lor" (Absolute Handsome)

Nice name and finally I understand what they call me all the time.

BTW, the NATION is more detailed and points out that the mahout claimed it was not his but the elephant of somebody else which caused the footprinting.

Sounds to me like "Driver fled the scene".

http://www.nationmultimedia.com/page.news....ess=1&id=117131

isnt the Bangkok Hilton already over crowded??

They suspect whether that elephant belongs to Bin Laden. They have appointed a committee to investigate and the report is due in February 2005..