News briefs for Sept. 2, 2005

Friday, Sept. 2, 2005 | 9:58 a.m.

Siegfried & Roy's elephant dies

Siegfried and Roy's 57-year-old elephant, Gildah, died at the Secret Garden at the Mirage, the entertainers said in a statement Thursday.

The ceremonial Thai elephant, which had been with Siegfried and Roy for more than 25 years, died of natural causes, the statement said,

Gildah turned 57 on May 4. The average life expectancy of Asian elephants in captivity is in the early 40s, while Asian elephants in the wild can live to 60, according to the entertainers.

"In celebration of her life, we would ask that donations be made to the American Red Cross in support of animal rescue for those animals affected by Hurricane Katrina," Siegfried and Roy said.

However, People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals demanded that Feld Entertainment, owners of Siegfried and Roy's elephant, conduct a necrospy on the animal and make her health records public.

Hurdle cleared in rebate plan

The state has cleared another hurdle in the plan to rebate $300 million to those who had cars registered last year.

The state Department of Motor Vehicles completed its database report of motorists who are eligible for the rebate and turned that information Monday over to the Bank of America, which t will prepare the checks and mail them out.

Mike Hillerby, chief of staff for Gov. Kenny Guinn, who proposed the rebate, said the state is ahead of schedule. The DMV turned over the database information Monday, ahead of the self-imposed deadline of Thursday.

Hillerby said the checks would be mailed out late in September or early in October.

The 2005 Legislature approved Guinn's rebate plan meaning motorists will receive a rebate anywhere from $75 to $275 based on the registration fee charged in 2004. Those 65 and older who don't have a registered vehicle will receive a $75 rebate check if they have a valid identification card from the DMV.