Dickerson Park Zoo - Oil Paintings

The following oil paintings were all made from photographs of the Dickerson Park Zoo's elephant breeding program in the 1990s. They decorate the walls of the administration building.

Merry Christmas - Parc Safari

Courtesy of Francis Lavigne

Hemmingford Parc Safari, Quebec, Canada
Courtesy of F Lavigne

Merry Christmas - Dickerson Park Zoo

"26 year-old Pinky with her calf Kate, born July 26,1991"
Courtesy of R Easley

Glen Oak Zoo - Dona

Found your site while researching this same subject for a Facebook group on Peoria. I have a postcard of a baby elephant standing with a trainer, the back of which is printed with the following:

"A recent addition here at Glen Oak
is Dona the Baby elephant
She's learning some tricks for her
very own show, a really outstanding event.
Glen Oak Park Zoo
Peoria, Illinois"

Grant's Farm - Weigh In

From "Bud and Mickey" on Facebook:

After keepers recalibrated the scales: I (Bud) weighed in at 14,880 lbs......thats almost 7 and a half Clydesdales!!! Couple more pounds and maybe I can pull that beer wagon.

"Bud on the scale - broke it! Need to recalibrate the digital readout!"
Courtesy of "Bud and Mickey" on Facebook

Carson & Barnes Circus - Connie and Nellie

This news article dated April 3, 1980, documents the injuries sustained by female Asian elephants Connie and Nellie in a hay fire caused by a welding accident.

Photographs from the Son - Hank

The Columbus Zoo announced this week they received a new breeding bull under advisement of the Species Survival Plan. The 23 year old Asian elephant arrived from Riddle's Elephant Sanctuary in Arkansas on December 8.

Hank, Riddle's Elephant Sanctuary, June 2006
Courtesy of R Easley

Bill Reynolds Collection - Carson and Barnes Circus

Wade Burck recently posted an article dated August 4, 1975, discussing the escape of two juvenile Asian elephants, Lilly and Isa, from Carson and Barnes Circus winter quarters in Hugo, Oklahoma.

Bill Reynolds graciously shares a photograph from his collection featuring a portion of the Carson and Barnes herd of Asian elephants in 1981.

"I like this one because Obert is in it."
Courtesy of B Reynolds

King Brothers Circus - Mery

The large female African elephant pictured is named Mery, according to her handler Juan Carlos Bresciani Ruiz.

Courtesy of J Ruiz

Circo Barley

ShowMe Elephants' previous post a year ago regarding elephants in Mexico was given information that Circus Barley housed six or seven elephants. This photo confirms five performing in the ring, the only five in one ring in Mexico according to the show.

"BARLEY CIRCUS presenta a los unicos 5 ELEFANTES en la PISTA DE UN CIRCO!!!!!! EN MEXICO!!!!!!"
Courtesy of Barley Circus on Facebook

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

Chipperfield at Harringay Arena, Part II

The following stills were captured from a video found during research of the June 2011 ShowMe Elephants post, "Jim Stockley Collection - Chipperfields 1956." The post has garnered over 70 comments relating to the 1947/1948 import of elephants from Ceylon by the Chipperfield circus family, what became of these elephants and the eight elephants sold to Ringling Brothers and Barnum & Bailey Circus for their 1963/1964 European Tour.

>> Jim Stockley Collection - Chipperfields 1956," ShowMe Elephants, 06/12/2011

"Circus Comes to Town, Harringay, London, 12/26/1949
Courtesy of BritishPathe.com

Jim Stockley Collection - Chipperfields 1975

This photograph is related to research of the June 2011 ShowMe Elephants post, "Jim Stockley Collection - Chipperfields 1956." The post has garnered over 70 comments relating to the 1947/1948 import of elephants from Ceylon by the Chipperfield circus family, what became of these elephants and the eight elephants sold to Ringling Brothers and Barnum & Bailey Circus for their 1963/1964 European Tour.

>> "Jim Stockley Collection - Chipperfields 1956," ShowMe Elephants, 06/12/2011

"All 11 elephants doing a long mount in 1975?
Mary, Leila, Sally, Camella, Lechme, Meena, Sophie, Lisa, Manju, Mohini, Minoti.
Uncle John L Chipperfield and Alex Story at the head of Mary, cousin Tommy Chipperfield helping to straighten out Camella."
Courtesy of Jim Stockley

Chipperfield at Harringay Arena, Part I

This photograph was found during research of the June 2011 ShowMe Elephants post, "Jim Stockley Collection - Chipperfields 1956." The post has garnered over 70 comments relating to the 1947/1948 import of elephants from Ceylon by the Chipperfield circus family, what became of these elephants and the eight elephants sold to Ringling Brothers and Barnum & Bailey Circus for their 1963/1964 European Tour.

>> Jim Stockley Collection - Chipperfields 1956," ShowMe Elephants, 06/12/2011

"Blackie, baby elephant of the Harringay Circus, arches an appreciative trunk as Mae West comes up to see him at the end of the performance. Miss West was appearing in London in her own play, January 15th 1948."
Courtesy of Hugh, HarringayOnline.com

Toronto Zoo Elephant Transfer

From "The Toronto Zoo Elephant Keepers" on Facebook:

One subject that keeps coming up when it comes to the relocation of the Toronto Zoo elephants is finances. There are several figures that continue to emerge in an attempt to sway both public opinion and the opinion of city council. Here is a brief outline of where one of these figures was acquired, and some additional figures not yet made public.

"Charcoal drawing on silk - copied from a photo of Thika and Iringa"
Courtesy of Ann Walsh at The Toronto Zoo Elephant Keepers on Facebook

White Elephants

The records of Phra Sawet Adulyadej Phahnon, the first white elephant of Thailand's King Bhumibol, have been updated at Elephant.se. A history of the 60 year old animal, now residing in the royal elephant shed at Klai Kangwon Palace, was described at Wade Burck's "Circus No-Spin Zone" on November 10.

>> "Phra Sawet Adulyadej Phahnon (Phlai Kaeo) at Klai Kangwon Palace" at Elephant.se

Phra Sawet Adulyadej Phahnon
Courtesy of CircusNoSpin.blogspot.com

Zurich Zoo - Maxi

There is a long discussion currently occurring regarding a ShowMe Elephants article from several days past regarding Moto and Toto, two former Colchester Zoo / Dreamland's Safari Wild Animal Park elephants. Recent input has discovered a likely probability that the male Moto is in fact the Zurich Zoo's current breeding bull Maxi. Toto's current location was discovered to be the Toto of the Warsaw Zoo. More information and confirmation for these discoveries is sought.

>> "Safari Zoo - Moto and Toto" at ShowMe Elephants, 09/16/2011

Zurich Zoo, Maxi, 2010
Courtesy of Elefanten-Fotolexikon.eu

Chris Hamblen Collection - Whipsnade Wild Animal Park II

The following photograph was graciously shared by Chris Hamblen from the Whipsnade Wild Animal Park in the United Kingdom during winter 2010.

Whipsnade Wild Animal Park, 02/2010
Courtesy of C Hamblen

Colchester Zoo - Moto and Toto

IN THE 70S IN SOUTH ENGLAND I HAD THE JOB OF PICKING UP TWO FULL GROWN ELEPHANTS UP, CALLED MOTO AND TOTO FROM COLCHESTER ZOO ? NORTH ENGLAND, AND I HAD TO TAKE THEM BACK TO THE ZOO IN MARGATE KENT, WHO HAD PURCHASED THEM, ANY REFERENCE TO THIS PAIR OF ELEPHANTS. //X CHIPPERFIELDS ELEPHANT KEEPER, PETER

From "The Colchester Express," 1967
Courtesy of Gorotex / ZooChat.com

Chris Hamblen Collection - Whipsnade Wild Animal Park I

The following photographs were graciously shared by Chris Hamblen from the Whipsnade Wild Animal Park in the United Kingdom during winter 2010.

Whipsnade Wild Animal Park, 02/2010
Courtesy of C Hamblen

Photographs From the Son - Sedgwick County Zoo

The following photographs were taken in April 2009 during a visit to the Sedgwick County Zoo in Wichita, Kansas.

Sedgwick County Zoo, 04/2009
Courtesy of R Easley

The Father's Photographs - St. Louis Zoo

The following photographs were taken at the St. Louis Zoo in December 1993, celebrating the first birthday of the zoo's first elephant calf, Raja.

St Louis Zoo, 12/1993
Courtesy of M Easley

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

Giza Zoological Garden

From Peter Stolk:

Received this answer from Cairo:

"We still have one Asian Elephant "Karema".
She is 45 years old and came to Giza Zoo in 1967.
And "Naeema" the African Elephant.
She is 31 years old, came in 1983."

Another mail about former elephants is send!

Zoo Map, Giza Zoological Garden
Courtesy of GizaZoo-eg.com

Ringling Brothers - Charlie

Courtesy of "May All Your Days Be Circus Days" on Facebook:

Thursday, September 1, 2011
May All Your Days Be Circus Days
"The late Irvin Feld (1918-1984)was a conflicted and difficult man. I was there and worked for him. I know. But, he loved Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey with every fiber of his being. We lost him much too soon." //Jack Ryan

The National Elephant Center

From Jeff Bolling / "Elephant Managers Association" on Facebook:

"Call to action!

Go to the site and vote for TNEC to open in Fellsmere! Then contact your friends to do the same...officials are watching this poll."

>> http://www.tcpalm.com/news/2011/sep/07/elephant-center-shifts-north-to-fellsmere-from/?partner=popular

John Romo Collection - National Zoo

The following picture was graciously contributed by John Romo, taken at the National Zoo in the 1980s.

National Zoo, c. 1980s
Courtesy of J Romo

FOR SALE - The Johnsons

An add featuring two elephants for sale was featured in a 1975 Circus Report Edition from the Johnson family.

Circus Report, 4th year No 4 Page 2, 01/27/1975
Courtesy of CircusHistory.org

Bill Prickett Collection - Julius von Uhl

Ryan,

The next three photos are of Baron Julius von Uhl, and elephant, taken June-1997, at Circus Hall of Fame, Peru, Ind. I have no additional info on the elephant.

Best Regards,

Bill Prickett

"Julius von Uhl, Circus Hall of Fame, Peru IN, June 1997"
Courtesy of B Prickett

Elefanten-Fotolexikon.eu

From Elephant Gossip on Facebook:


"elephant - gossip-- at the Zoo Berlin.... I would like to know what they tell ??" Petra Prager

Al G. Barnes Circus - Sidney Rink

From the Circus Historical Society on Facebook:


"Everybody loves the elephants. Here's the Al G. Barnes Circus elephant boss Sydney Rink in 1914 with some of his charges." //CHS on Facebook

Albuquerque BioPark - Daizy

The Albuquerque Zoo in New Mexico is celebrating the second birthday of their second elephant calf, Daizy, in several days. Her birth was celebrated by residents of New Mexico in September 2009 as the second elephant birth in the state's history - the first being her mother's birth in 1992.

"The ABQ BioPark's youngest Asian elephant, Daizy, turns two on September 2, 2011."
Courtesy of ABQ BioPark on Facebook

John Romo Collection - Munich Zoo

The following pictures were graciously contributed by John Romo, taken at the Munich Zoo in the 1980s.

Max, Munich Zoo, c. 1980s
Courtesy of J Romo

Video Views - Calgary Zoo

A Day with the Elephants at the Calgary Zoo



Courtesy of CalgaryZoo1 on YouTube

The Father's Photographs - Columbus Zoo

The following photographs were taken at the Columbus Zoo in Ohio in June 1995. Pictured below are the zoo's herd of Asian elephants at the time - 22 year old Connie, 24 year old bull Coco and 25 year old Bomba. Two African elephants also resided at the zoo separate from the Asians.

Photo 1, Bomba, Coco and Connie, Columbus Zoo, June 1995
Courtesy of M Easley

Amusement Business 1969 - Southwick

This clipping is third in a series of articles and adds included in a 1969 issue of "Amusement Business: A Billboard Publication," published on May 31.

Amusement Business 1969 - Walt King

This clipping is second in a series of articles and adds included in a 1969 issue of "Amusement Business: A Billboard Publication," published on May 31.

Tama Zoological Park

The Tama Zoological Park, located in the suburbs of Tokyo, Japan, is one of several zoos in the island country to exhibit elephants of both species. The facility also exhibited Japan's oldest African elephant until her death last month at the age of 49.

"African elephant "Mako" from Tanzania walks at the Tama Zoological Park in Hino, Tokyo, in July 2008. (Mainichi)"
Courtesy of mdn.mainichi.jp

Amusement Business 1969 - Pat Derby

This article is first in a series of articles and adds included in a 1969 issue of "Amusement Business: A Billboard Publication," published on May 31.

gorgeousingray

I have come across a new elephant news blog titled "gorgeousingray: The latest on North America's African elephants!"

While I wait to come in contact with the author, the information shared takes after my own interests. Each story, complete with pictures, takes interest in birth, death and transfer events as well as analyzing statistics of captive elephant management.

Articles published in the last week include "Migration of the bulls," "Magic is happening at Disney" and "Lowry park zoo’s CRAZY love square," in addition to many others.

I look forward to seeing more posts from this user and encourage others to support "gorgeousingray" as well.

>> gorgeousingray.wordpress.com

Vincent Manero Collection - Cirque Medrano

Hey Ryan,

I don't know much about the Chipperfield's Elephants history. The only ones I know are Kamala, Lechmee and Meena that are actually on the road with the French Cirque Medrano. These three went to the States to join RBBB with Graham Thomas Chipperfield. They did a teeterboard act.

See you somewhere down the road!
Vince

Cirque Medrano, 2008
Courtesy of V Manero

May All Your Days Be Circus Days - Ringling Brothers

Courtesy of "May All Your Days Be Circus Days" on Facebook:


"Ramon Esqueda presents his ponderous performing pachyderms in Ringling's Gold Edition, opening July 8 in Tupelo, Mississippi. The town is famous as the birthplace of the King himself -- Elvis of course!" //Jack Ryan

St. Louis Zoo - Kinzi

"IT'S A GIRL! Meet our brand new bundle of joy. An Asian elephant was born today, June 24, at 1:13 p.m. Mother and baby are bonding very well, but are not yet on public display. The height and weight of the calf are not yet confirmed. We will announce a baby naming poll at a later date. More info: http://ow.ly/5pVW7 Photo by Keeper Katie Pilgram." //St. Louis Zoo on Facebook

Mystery Photograph

From Buckles Woodcock's "Buckles Blog:"

Tuesday, July 24, 2007
Unidentified
No idea where I got this. The trucks look more interesting than the elephants. I'm guessing that this is either the Circus Festival at the Sarasota Fairgrounds or the marshaling area for the Milwaukee Parade. Note the calliope in the background.
Posted by Buckles

Anonymous said...
This is a tough one--the nicely painted truck reminds me of Toby Tyler, but the three babies remind me of Great American (Lisa, Heather, and Donna) from 86 or 87. Great American was the host circus at the Milwaukee Parade in 87.
Maria Vonderheid

J Goodall said...
The photo was not taken in Milwaukee. Never have seen the calliope in the background.

Paul Ingrassia said...
Most certainly not Milwaukee. the two years Alan was with us I recall a little too well so that not it either...

Anonymous said...
Appears to be Sarasota Festival and either Toby Tyler Africans Or Allen Hills. I would lean toward Toby Tyler because of the adjoining trailer.

Anonymous said...
Appears to be the "Two Jesters" in the background.

johnny said...
Either of the acts of Africabs at that time were quite impressive and the three that Joe Frisco Jr. trained for Great American from scratch were very nice and certainly gave Joe his credentials as an Elephant Trainer and one of the few select African elephant trainers. The Toby Tyler three remain somewhat controversial on just who did what, but when I saw Paul Duke work them with an unidentified young lady assisting him, they were quite impressive as well.

Richard said...
The wagon is the Harp & Jesters from the Ringling Museum.
Dick Flint

Without a date or location, it is more difficult to identify these elephants. The elephant truck is not the one featured on Allen C. Hill's Great American Circus in 1994, pictured recently in photographs contributed from the collection of Bill Prickett. Help is sought to identify the elephants, their owner and the vehicles pictured to the right. Can it be confirmed this is the Great American herd with Lisa, Donna and Heather?

John Romo Collection - Gladys Porter Zoo

John Romo has graciously allowed ShowMe Elephants to share some of his many photographs documenting elephants in captivity around the world. The first set of pictures were taken at the Gladys Porter Zoo in Brownsville, Texas, about June 1983.

Macho, Gladys Porter Zoo, summer 1983
Courtesy of J Romo

Bill Prickett Collection - Allan C. Hill's Great American Circus

"Irene" and Mike Rice, Pekin, IL, 4-24-94"
Courtesy of B Prickett

Trunks and Humps - Jean

"Jeanie 9 foot tall and over 9000 lbs. Was looking at the pic of her on your blog when she was smaller." //Mike Swain

Jean
Courtesy of M Swain

>> "Bill Prickett Collection - Peoria Shrine Circus" at ShowMe Elephants

Photographs from the Son - Knoxville Zoo

The following photographs were taken in October 2009 at the Knoxville Zoo in Tennessee. In continuance with the previous two series of photographs, the only animal remaining from the mid-1990s is the bull Tonka. The other animals pictured in past posts had been relocated or died at the institution. Two additional females were added to the zoo's collection with the intentions of breeding under the North American SSP. Jana arrived from the Louisville Zoo in 1998 and Edie from a private owner in Texas in 2002.

Edie, Knoxville Zoo, October 2009
Courtesy of R Easley

Brian Kohler Collection - Knoxville Zoo

The following photographs were taken at the Knoxville Zoo in Tennessee in September 1994. They are courtesy of Brian Kohler who graciously shares his collection of elephant history with ShowMe Elephants. At the time, the zoo's herd of African elephants was reduced to four elephants from the herd of six featured in yesterday's photo series from 1994. Still residing at the zoo were 17 year old bull Tonka and females 32 year old Mamie, 26 year old Robin and 23 year old Petunia.

"Knoxville Zoo 1996"
Courtesy of B Kohler

The Father's Photographs - Knoxville Zoo

The following photographs were taken at the Knoxville Zoo in Tennessee in September 1994. At the time, the zoo's herd of African elephants consisted of 15 year old bull Tonka and females 32 year old Toto, 31 year old Mamie, 24 year old Robin, 21 year old Petunia and 16 year old Little Diamond. Tonka still resides at the zoo to this day.

Photo 1, Knoxville Zoo, September 1994
Courtesy of M Easley

Bill Prickett Collection - Peoria Shrine Circus

Ryan,
These two photos were were taken at Peoria Shrine Circus, Peoria, Il, 6-96. Corky Plunkett and elephants. Show produced by Plunkett family. James, I believe, later said these elephants were sold to their cousin (?) Bill Swain.

Am looking forward to seeing KM this fall and spending some time visiting with you. I visited on the Litchfield, Il, date in maybe April, but left right after the show due to approaching storm.....and the three hour drive home. Best............Bill Prickett

"Corky Plunkett and elephants, Peoria Shrine Circus, 6-96"
Courtesy of B Prickett

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.