Tom Packs Elephants

The Tom Packs Elephants were considered the best trained elephant act of its time. Trained by elephant master Mac MacDonald, they represented the epitome of class and skill throughout the 1950s and into the 1960s. Originally trained as a group of five elephants for the Tom Packs Circus, four of the animals represent part of a larger group imported together in 1948. Another was added during the training period; several years later an elephant was replaced for medical reasons. The focus here is on the Tom Packs group, but will address in some detail their original shipmates as well.

Los Angeles Zoo 1977

The North American Regional Studbook for the African Elephant lists the arrival of four 6 year old female African elephants from animal importer Jurgen Schulz on November 28, 1977. Josephine, Lolly, Sage and McClean are all listed as acquired by Schulz around 1974 before their sale to the California zoo three years later. According to studbook records, Josephine and Lolly were sold together approximately two years later to the Asian country of Taiwan. Sage and McClean resided together, along with other elephants of both species, in the Los Angeles Zoo elephant exhibit until the death of Sage in May 1984 and McClean in March 1986.

Gabe, Misty & Sage, Enchanted Village, 1976-77
Courtesy of D Wichert

Recent Updates at Elephant.se

Zoo Plaisance once again exhibits elephants, acquiring two adolescent African elephants on January 3 from another French facility, Zoo de la Fleche. The half brothers, Pembe and Akili, were born in 2001 and 2002 to mothers Bahati and Norris, respectively, at Ramat Gan. Two months following their transfer out, la Fleche replaced the two African males with two more. Both of the 6 year old animals arrived on March 14 from Hodenhagen Serengeti Park in Germany, Boten (captive born at Ramat Gan in Israel) and Bou-Bou (captive born at Hodenhagen).

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

The Father's Photographs - Milwaukee County Zoo

Origininally titled "Mystery Zoo - Mystery Photographs"

These three photos were likely mixed in with the Brookfield Zoo set and are not located at the Chicago zoo. They were taken in the late 1980s to early 1990s. Perhaps details in each photo can help to identify each elephant, such as the first missing part of her tail, the second with a 'boot' on her foot and the third a younger (presumably captive-born) calf. The background scenery and fencing can also provide other clues.

Photo 1, Mystery zoo
Photo Courtesy of M Easley