• Oct 8, 2009
Let's all collectively thank the glorious bit of technology that is Google Street View for letting the world know about the rare and mostly undocumented breakout of Elephantitis in Canada's deer population. Unlike the human form of the disease which is generally characterized by the swelling of a single body part, deer Elephantitis apparently morphs the hapless affected creatures into real-life elephants. If you're driving in the area, extra caution is advisable.

It seems that this street sign was spotted by a Google Street View camera car somewhere in Vancouver. We're not sure how it got there or if it's nothing more than a funny prank, but it is most definitely real. Oh, and for the record, the proper medical term is really Elephantiasis (thanks, Wikipedia!).

[Source: Google Street View via Jalopnik]

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    • 1 Second Ago
      • 5 Years Ago
      Isn't the big news that Google Maps has expanded into Canada?
        • 5 Years Ago
        Yes, I finally got dial up at a rate of 18bauds into my igloo!!!
      • 5 Years Ago
      akboss302, I see it. She's oblivious!
      • 5 Years Ago
      Elephants are generally slow moving creatures, hence the picture. I suppose a snail would've been better, but then we'd have people claiming that deer were morphing into snails. Just about the time you think you've made something idiot-proof, they come up with better idiots.
      • 5 Years Ago
      wow karen ann, its a pity your so "put out " as you call it over the "poor elephant ' but dont even mention the human lives that died in that Mexico accident . this is whats wrong with the world today, animals and homosexuals( same thing) rights over human beings
      • 5 Years Ago
      It's actually code symbol for "watch out for the damn democrats from the States".

        • 5 Years Ago
        This is crazy - take a look on the streetview about 2 moves to the East - there's some lady potting a plant in her front yard literally right beside the van that's bursting into flames...WFT!?
        • 5 Years Ago
        I remember reading about this. Hopefully the google guy called the cops before he kept on driving! ha ha.
      • 5 Years Ago
      it's "elephantiasis," but funny just the same ;)
        Karen Anne
        • 5 Years Ago
        Sorry, Jim, I'm just a bit "strange" this way, but live and learn, yes?

        I, too, thought as you did about the word "elephantitis", but I don't bother with corrections (not to say you shouldn't), but I realize many times things are typos and folks don't proof-read and so on.

        But here is why I'm replying to you:
        "elephantitis" IS a word and without getting into all the scientific jargonese, basically it's the same thing as "elephantiasis"!

        My curiosity gene gets to me and I have to check on this stuff! I have dictionary sites saved all over my poor comp and they get more use sometimes than any other website!

        Hope this doesn't make you too angry with me! Just call me a research-aholic!
        (and please pardon any typos...I'm not the greatest typist)
        • 5 Years Ago
        Karen, I didn't see your post when I replied to Jim, but the word is elephantiasis, as he said. People may say "elephantitis", but they are wrong. It is a common mispronunciation.
        Karen Anne
        • 5 Years Ago
        Hello, Donna & jingram28!

        True, the most commonly accepted word IS elephantiasis, BUT elephantitis is indeed a real word:

        Main Entry: elephantitis
        Part of Speech: n
        Definition: an infectious tropical disease that is a form of filaiasis caused by parasitic worms which are transmitted by mosquitoes and which causes swelling in the genitals or thighs or breasts, etc.

        Most dictionaries will have this spelling ('titis') with the definition, and many will tell you (including wickapedia) that it's a common usage that some use in place of 'tiasis' or because it's a common misspelling. Still and all, as I stated in my original post, I KNOW/KNEW it was elephantiasis but curiosity got me so I researched it.

        So if anyone wants to use elephantitis, knock yourselves out...figuratively speaking of course! ;-p
        • 5 Years Ago
        According to Wikipedia:

        "Elephantiasis (/ËÉlÉfÉnËtaÉªÉsÉªs, -fÃ¦n-/ [el-uh-fuhn-tahy-uh-sis, -fan-]) is a disease that is characterized by the thickening of the skin and underlying tissues, especially in the legs, male genitals and female breasts. In some cases, the disease can cause certain body parts, such as the scrotum, to swell to the size of a softball or basketball.[1] "Elephantitis" is a common mis-hearing or mis-remembering of the term, from confusing the ending -iasis (process or resulting condition) with the more commonly heard -itis (irritation or inflammation). The proper medical term is Elephantiasis,[2] and it is caused by lymphatic filariasis."

        So, Jim, you are totally correct.

      Bill T.
      • 5 Years Ago
      Have you ever seen the standard "Cattle Crossing" signs in Sonora, Mexico? The figure on the sign looks exactly like a rhinoceros.
      • 5 Years Ago
      Looks like the person who made this sign should go back to kidnergarten and learn their animals..
      • 5 Years Ago
      I guess the elephant meant the SLOW down part...but, scientifically speaking, they are not slow at all they can reach speeds up to 40 km/h (25 mph), from wiki.
        • 5 Years Ago
        Way To Go DUN,
        that is exactly what that means,Some people get picture gesture and ignore reading.So seeing an elephant will grab their attention and slow them down cause we all know elephants walk slowly. I thin thats very clever and also gives humor.
      • 5 Years Ago
      It's not elephantitis,,,,,,it's elephantiasis!!!
      • 5 Years Ago
      how about being alert !!!!!!!!!!!
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