Posted on YouTube and on Greek blogs, the video shows a man repeatedly hitting an elephant over the head with a hooked pole before a Circo Massimo performance in the northern town of Florina this month.

Hadzigakis said Thursday such behavior "borders on barbarity", while using animals for human entertainment is a thing of the past.
Circus officials refused to comment on the video.

Animal rights groups frequently criticize Greek authorities for not doing enough for animal welfare.

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Bron: PR-inside.com