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.

Mindi Scott Collection - Columbus Zoo

Columbus Zoo and Aquarium Pachyderm keeper Mindi Scott has been gracious enough to share some photographs in her collection of her current charges at the Columbus Zoo in Ohio. The first group were taken very recently of three of the zoo's four member Asian elephant herd. Included are 38 year old female Connie, 24 year old female Phoebe and her 2 year old son Beco.

Columbus Zoo, April 2011
Courtesy of M Scott

Your Author

Ryan Easley and 'Jana'
29 year old African female elephant
Knoxville Zoo
Knoxville, Tennessee
November 2009

Rather than adding a new post regarding elephant history or current elephant news, I would like to bring attention to an article posted earlier this week regarding Circus Chipperfield's elephant herd from the late-1940s to mid-1960s. The post has now gathered more than 20 comments and has uncovered a lot of information regarding the 29 elephants originally imported from Sri Lanka. Locations in Russia, Ireland, Borneo and the United States are discussed with input from readers in South Africa, the United Kingdom and the United States. ShowMe Elephants, indeed!

>> http://showmeelephants.blogspot.com/2011/06/jim-stockley-collection-chipperfields_12.html

Postcard Press - Toronto Zoo

From Wade Burck's "Circus No-Spin Zone:"

Thursday, June 9, 2011
Toronto Zoo--Year Unknown
Posted by Wade G. Burck

Bill Prickett Collection - King Royal Circus

William Prickett has been kind enough to share his collection of circus photographs with ShowMe Elephants. The first series to be posted feature the King Royal Circus in Emory, Texas, taken on April 12, 1995.

"Walt Stimax, Bobby Gibbs, Dorey, Ted Bowman, Gopher Davenport, Emory, TX, 4-12-95"
Courtesy of B Prickett

The Father's Photographs - Tulsa Zoo

The following photographs were taken in July 1994 at the Tulsa Zoo in Tulsa, Oklahoma. At the time indicated, three Asian elephants resided at the zoo - 44 year old female Gunda, 21 year old bull Sneezy and 7 year old captive-born male Maverick.

Photo 1, Sneezy, Tulsa Zoo, July 1994
Courtesy of M Easley

Oregon Zoo - Rose Festival

Hi Ryan,
Thought you might enjoy this photo of the Asian elephants from the Oregon Zoo Facebook page.


Natasha Matza
Chicago, IL

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

Lee Richardson Zoo - Penny

From Wade Burck's "Circus No-Spin Zone:"

Thursday, June 9, 2011
Penny, Garden City Zoo/Lee Richardson Zoo, Garden City, Kansas, Year Unknown
Posted by Wade G. Burck

Brian Kohler Collection - Lion Country Safari

Retired elephant handler Brian Kohler has been gracious enough to share his photo collection with ShowMe Elephants. The first series of pictures to be posted features Lion Country Safari of West Palm Beach, Florida.

Stumpy, Ladybird, Bulwagi and Mama
Courtesy of Brian Kohler

Little Rock Zoo - New Arrivals

The Little Rock Zoo acquired yesterday two additional elephants from the Ringling Brothers and Barnum & Bailey Circus' Center for Elephant Conservation.

"Zina (front) and Jewel in their new Little Rock home"
Courtesy of ArkTimes.com

Your Author

Ryan Easley and 'Bo'
24 year old Asian bull elephant
Presented by Larry Carden
El Mina Shrine Circus
Produced by Bret Carden
Beaumont, Texas
November 2010

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

Video Views - Natural Bridge Zoo

Elephants Being Elephants
A relaxing day with a mud bath to combat the temperatures and keep the bugs at bay.

Asha, Natural Bridge Zoo, 2008
Courtesy of R Easley

Franklin Park Zoo - Beba

The Franklin Park Zoo received a female Asian elephant from animal collector and movie star Frank Buck in summer 1947. This animal is only found in one compiled census record five years later. No further information regarding this animal is available at the current time.

Original Franklin Park Zoo elephant building
Courtesy of Mark B, RememberPlain.blogspot.com

LE Barnes Circus

Buckles Woodcock has recently posted several series of photographs of the short-lived LE Barnes Circus, owned and operated by wild animal trainer Dave Hoover for a single season in 2001. There was discussion regarding which elephants were featured in the animal-filled show, presented by Louie DelMoral. Casey Cainan shares the three bulls, Minnie, Bunny and Whimpy, were leased from Carson and Barnes Circus based in Hugo, Oklahoma.

LE Barnes Circus, 2001
Courtesy of David Powell

Toledo Zoo Birth

New Birth
The Toledo Zoo celebrated the birth of their second calf near midnight on Friday, June 3. The zoo had previously announced in late March their 32 year old female African elephant Renee was pregnant and due to give birth in late spring or early summer. She conceived the animal via artificial insemination with semen collected from Callee of Pittsburgh and Ajani of Indianapolis. World renowned elephant expert Dr. Dennis Schmitt assisted in the procedure and process. The yet-unnamed calf joined a herd of three – his mother Renee, his eight year old half brother Louie and 26 year old Twiggy. More information regarding the calf and photos as well will be added once released to the public.

>> Notnamed at Elephant.se

Renee and her calf, Toledo Zoo, June 2011
Courtesy of ToledoZoo.org

European Circus Elephants II

Rene Casselly
German animal trainer Rene Casselly and his wife Alexia tour with four African elephants in Europe. Their bull Mambo is the oldest at 28. The three cows Nanda, Kimba and Tonga range from 28 to 21. Further information regarding the origins of this group of animals is sought.

The following photographs are courtesy of Alex Bozic from Circus the Truth ©." The Casselly's work their summer season on Circus Arena in Denmark every year.

Photo 1, Casselly Elephants
Courtesy of A Bozic