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

Directory of American Circuses

Good Morning guys,

One of the really huge parts of all this elephant record keeping is the circus titles and owners. many of these shows had the same owners but changed the titles. Floyd King had many a title out from year to year. Dan asked about Zellmer bros. then Schell bros. Same owners! This was George Engesser who was the father of GeeGee Engessor who was married to Bucky Steele for a while.

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

Mystery Photo - Belle Isle Zoo

Inquiry
"G’day Dan and Ryan, I picked the attached postcard at a post card show recently, any idea on date and name? Happy Days." //Wayne Jackson, Retired Wanderin’ Elephant Man

History
"Belle Isle was Detroit's first zoo, a menagerie. In the modern era it was an aquarium and children's zoo. I believe it was managed by the Detroit Zoo. Probably had baby elephants at Belle Isle and moved them to the Zoo in Royal Oak as they grew up if they didn't get moved elsewhere sooner." //Jim Alexander

The Father's Photographs - Kyoto City Zoo

The following photographs were taken in February 1995 at the Kyoto Municipal Zoo. Pictured are two Asian elephants, one with long, thin ivory. Referencing the online elephant databases of Dan Koehl and Jonas Livet and the zoo's own website, two female Asian elephants resided at the zoo during the time period indicated. 24 year old Mito arrived in 1979 and 15 year old Tomo arrived the following year. Only Mito remains at the zoo; Tomo died in April 2001.

Photo 1, Kyoto Zoo, February 1995
Courtesy of M Easley

Chessington Zoo - Rosie

Dick Chipperfield states in his 1963 book "My Friends The Animals" that, at age 24, his first elephant was not a good circus elephant. She was subsequently sold to the Chessington Zoo.

"Taken on March 29th, 1935. The caption reads: Good morning, Mrs. Elephant. Rajah, the poney, likes to accompany the assistants at feeding time at the Chessington, Surrey, Zoo. Here they are calling on \'Rosie\' the elephant, who seems to be giving them a good welcome."
Courtesy of Meaghan Edwards, ZooChat.com

Lakeside Park Zoo - Judy

A record compilation from the late Murray Hill's Animal Education, Protection & Information Foundation shares names of many elephants not found elsewhere. One such animal is Judy.

The records compilation date in April 1964 the young bull, about three years old, at Lake Side Park Zoo in Jefferson, Ohio. Jefferson, a small village with a current population of about 3,000, is located in the uppermost northeast corner of Ohio. No further information can be found regarding a zoo facility in this location.

Studbook Mysteries - Israel

A February 1977 issue of The Circus Report announces the birth of an Israeli elephant, inadvertently creating the topic of a curious mystery for an elephant historian 35 years later.

Circus Report, 6th year No 6, Page 9, 02/07/1977
Courtesy of CircusHistory.org

Franklin Park Zoo - Beba / Mary, Part II

The story of Beba was unfolded with the purchase of numerous local news articles from the Boston area between 1948 to 1960.
>> www.showmeelephants.com/2011/06/franklin-park-zoo-beba.html

Courtesy of Daily Boston Globe 07/1948