Stephanie James, Tennesee zoo trainer killed by Elephant

An 8,000 pound elephant backed an experienced zoo keeper into a wall and crushed her to death at a Tennessee zoo, horrifying her family and colleagues.

The tragedy occurred Friday afteoon while Stephanie James, 33, was performing routine chores in the elephant stall at the Knoxville Zoo.

Edie, a 26-year-old elephant who is just under 9-feet-tall at the shoulder, pushed her into the wall.

James was transported to the University of Tennessee Medical Center, where she died Friday of inteal injuries, according to Tina Rolen, assistant director of marketing at the zoo.

The Indianapolis native was one of four full-time elephant trainers at the zoo.

"At this point in time we don't believe it to be a malicious act or an aggressive act on Edie's part, but the review is ongoing to determine what happened in the ba," Rolen said.

Jim Vlna, Knoxville Zoo Executive Director said "Everyone at Knoxville Zoo is shocked and saddened at the loss of Stephanie. Our prayers are with her parents, Ron and Kris James, and the rest of her family."

Fighting back tears, the young woman's father told local television station WISHTV8 that he was shocked by the death of his daughter, the youngest of three children.

"I'm so surprised that anything happened. Because she was so conceed with safety. that was her first priority was safety," said Ron James.

He said she had worked at Sea World for about seven years and had been at the Knoxville Zoo for two years.

On Saturday the zoo temporarily closed its elephant exhibit.

Edie, one of three of the zoo's elephants, will not be punished for disciplined, Rolen said.

"Our training program is based on positive reinforcement," she said.