They deserve protection on large game preserves and the like. It truly pains me the way we treat so many very intelligent animals.

I have heard that there are more elephants, lions, and tigers in yards than I would really want to know about.
An elephant killed someone a couple of miles from me a few years ago, and my first thought was poor guy - and then WTF is an elephant even doing there?

http://www.sptimes.com/News/012700/news_pf/TampaBay/Elephant_tramples_wom.shtml

Elephant tramples woman to death

Trainers of the circus elephant, which apparently broke loose from a tree, had no explanation for the attack.
.....
Teresa, whom the family called Aunt Wow because she was so full of life, died before paramedics could reach her. She was the fourth person killed by an elephant in Florida since 1989.

The family has trained Kenya since age 3. When it wasn't in the circus ring, the African elephant often grazed on the Ramos family property, a sprawling lot with mobile homes lined up beside huge animal pens.

Rural south Hillsborough County is home to many circus and carnival workers who travel the country during the show season. Wild animals that wait out the winters are part of the scenery to local residents.

The Ramos family has been in the circus business for 200 years and came to the U.S. 20 years ago, Lance Ramos said. They provided acrobatic routines and wild animals to circus shows, he said. The extended family of about 60 members lives on the property.

Aside from Kenya, the family also keeps lions, tigers, camels and zebras on their property.