Elephants of the United Kingdom

According to the Elephant.se, the largest online database of elephants in the world, the United Kingdom is home to 71 elephants, 15 of which are males. One individual travels with a circus, while another is a sacred temple elephant. The remaining animals are housed in zoos and safari parks across the country.

There are currently four breeding herds in the United Kingdom. Knowsley Safari Park and Howletts Wild Animal Park enjoy success with mating African elephants, while the Whipsnade Wild Animal Park and Chester Zoo both celebrate births of Asian elephants. The Colchester Zoo made history in 2002 with the first elephant birth via Artificial Insemination in the United Kingdom. There are no bachelor herds of male elephants in the country.

Howlett's Wild Animal Park boasts the greatest number of individual elephants currently held, numbering 15 at the present time. They are followed by the Whipsnade Wild Animal Park, which houses nine elephants.

The 'Compilation of Links' page at ShowMe Elephants is updated almost daily at the present time. To the best of knowledge available, an entire listing of elephant pages for United Kingdom holding institutions has been collected and is available for viewing.

'Compilation of Links' Excerpt
>> Belfast Zoo, United Kingdom
>> Blackpool Zoo, United Kingdom
>> Blair Drummond Safari Park, United Kingdom
>> Bobby Roberts Super Circus, United Kingdom
>> Chester Zoo, United Kingdom
>> Colchester Zoo, United Kingdom
>> Howletts Wild Animal Park, United Kingdom
>> Knowsley Safari Park, United Kingdom
>> Paignton Zoo, United Kingdom
>> Port Lympne Wild Animal Park, United Kingdom
>> Skanda Vale Temple, United Kingdom
>> Twycross Zoo, United Kingdom
>> West Midland Safari Park, United Kingdom
>> Whipsnade Zoo, United Kingdom
>> Woburn Safari Park, United Kingdom

A newborn Asian elephant stands with other members of its herd at Whipsnade Wild Animal Park on July 28, 2009 in Whipsnade, England.
Photo by Dan Kitwood/Getty Images Europe

Moolah Shrine Circus 1990?

An assortment of photos of circuses performing in St. Louis have been found in my father's collection. Unfortunately, most are unlabeled and they all are mixed up. An effort is underway to sort the photographs and identify the herds and handlers. St. Louis, Missouri, is the hometown of ShowMe Elephants. It has been fun identifying these sets.

Moolah Shrine Circus, St. Louis
Photo Courtesy of M Easley

Sparks Casino - Angel

The following page was found in a July 1990 Circus Report, less than a year following the Sparks Casino's purchase of a year old female calf from Roman Schmitt's breeding program at Busch Gardens.

Circus Report 07/30/1990

Dieter Wichert Collection - Gunther Gebel-Williams

Courtesy of Dieter Wichert:

Thursday, December 30, 2010
Old Ringling Pictures
"Piccolo watching 'The Boss' giving Toby a manicure while smoking a Marlboro,
circa 1970-71." //Dieter Wichert

Jim Stockley Collection - Chipperfields 1956

"Clonmel railway station, Co.Tipperary 1956 -
The 12 Chipperfield elephants leave the station with Doreen Duggan leading Mary elephant. John L Chipperfield is mid-way down the line and Dick Chipperfield bringing up the rear. The show went to Ireland with 15 elephants and sold Jimmy, Blackie and Monica (two males and a female) to Fossett's Circus. Later, eight of these twelve would go with Hugo Schmidt to Ringlings in America." //Jim Stockley

Chipperfield elephants, 1956
Courtesy of J Stockley