Jouett said it's not clear why the goring occurred. Misha, who weighs 7,000 pounds, had one other aggressive incident, two years ago, when she swung her trunk and hit a different trainer, knocking him down.

Misha may be pregnant, Jouett said, but it is not clear whether that was a factor. She was artificially inseminated about two months ago, and hormone tests indicate it may have worked, although it's too soon to tell.

Marine World has been developing an elephant breeding program for a few years. Misha gave birth to a stillborn calf in March 2003. Another elephant had to be euthanized in 2002 after her baby died during labor.

Animal rights groups have long criticized Marine World, claiming the park is unsuitable for wild creatures and noting other incidents, including the mauling of a visitor by a tiger in 1999. Bolbil specifically objected to trainers using bullhooks, which are metal hooks on long handles used to control elephants at circuses and some zoos.

"It's how they dominate the elephants," Bolbil said. "The elephant is obeying out of fear. What's going on behind the scenes is that the elephants are really receiving what they call training and I call brutality."

Jouett called the allegation "a scandalous lie" and said a bullhook, or ankus, is the equivalent of a dog's leash or horse's halter.

"It's like an extension of a trainer's arm," he said. "The implication from animal rights folks is that it's used in an inappropriate way. It's patently untrue, it's offensive, it's heartless and insulting for them to say it."

The Oakland and San Francisco zoos are among those that do not use bullhooks. Joel Parrot, executive director of the Oakland Zoo, said he phased out their use in 1991 after a trainer, Lorne Jackson, was fatally kicked by a bull elephant he had worked with for 15 years. Trainers now use positive reinforcement with the zoo's one male and three female elephants.

"It was my job to make sure no one ever got killed in Oakland again," Parrot said. "I feel very bad for all the people in Marine World who are associated with the program and (Chapple). It's a gut-wrenching experience for everyone."

Parrot said bullhooks are common with performing elephants or ones that give rides. Misha does not give rides because she is in the breeding program, Jouett said.

Bolbil repeated allegations that the noisy thrill rides at Marine World create a bad environment for elephants and other animals, saying "it most likely contributes to their stress levels." Jouett brushed off the allegation.

"It reminds me of the Twinkie defense. 'The roller coaster made her do it,' " he said. "You've really got to give the animals some credit for knowing what sounds are important."

Jouett added that the park is closed 205 days a year. Its summer season, when it is open daily, just began.

Bolbil contended that most visitors to Marine World come for the rides and said animals do not help attendance. But Jouett said the park, which has attracted about 2 million people a year, has long benefited from its history of animal exhibits and shows.

"People love animals. People are thrilled that we have a killer whale now," he said, referring to an 11-year-old female orca, Shouka, that recently arrived at the park. "Anybody who comes to this park can look at our animals and see that they're well cared for."