Olivia Munn celebrates after ailing elephant is saved

Actress Olivia Munn is celebrating after helping People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals (PETA) release an ailing elephant from a touring circus.

The Iron Man 2 star wrote an essay in the Huffington Post last week (ends17Nov11) urging fans to boycott the controversial circus run by the Ringling Brothers and help free the creature.

Just days later on Monday (28Nov11), officials from the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) announced they had seized the elephant from the organization and now plan to fine the family company $270,000.

Munn has since taken to her Twitter.com account to thank bosses at the USDA for the move.

In a series of posts, Munn writes, "Breaking victory! Ringling Bros. slapped with largest penalty in history for animal abuse... We combined our voices & helped make unprecedented changes... Please thank the USDA 4 (for) taking action. Proud day for all of us who fought to make a change."

Other stars including singers Pink and Leona Lewis also backed the campaign to free the elephant.