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

Asian Elephant Support

Asian Elephant Support is a U.S. registered 501(c)(3) non-profit organization supporting the care and conservation of elephants in Asian range countries.

"Our logo is meant to symbolize man's long association with the elephant in most range states and our role in their future. The decorations on the elephant head represent a ceremonial head dress or painting. The dark objects that wrap around the head are human hands signifying that the future of the elephant is in our hands."

A Word From Our Sponsors

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Dallas Zoo - Stumpy

The Dallas Zoo announced the death of one of the five oldest African elephants in the country, 47 year old Stumpy. Stumpy arrived with companion Mama in 2010 for the Dallas Zoo's new Giants of the Savannah exhibit.

Stumpy and Mama, Dallas Zoo
Courtesy of The Dallas Zoo on Facebook

Mindi Scott Collection - Hank

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. 23 year old Hank arrived in December 2010 from Riddle's Elephant Sanctuary under advisement of the Species Survival Plan. He replaced the zoo's prior breeding bull, Coco.

Hank, Columbus Zoo, April 2012
Courtesy of M Scott

Oakland Zoo - Kimi and Udgi

A January 1978 news article published in The Circus Report documents the death of Kimi, a 13 year old female Asian elephant at the Oakland Zoo in California.

Circus Report, 7th year No 5, Page 9, 01/30/1978
Courtesy of CircusHistory.org

Studbook Mysteries - Tote-Em-In Zoo

A mystery elephant has been discovered in the annals of the Billboard magazine archives, the Tote-Em-In Zoo's successor to Bertha, the Nugget Casino's famed elephant who spent 37 years at the Las Vegas entertainment venue until her death in 1999.

Candy Hitchcock Collection - Dixie

Ms. Hitchcock has graciously shared rare insight into the beginnings of the elephant program of Zoo Miami (or the Crandon Park Zoo, as it was originally known prior to relocation).

Dixie was the zoo's first elephant and about 20 when I knew her. I used to walk her out to the shade area behind the elephant barn and scratch her back with a rake. She had a huge rubber tire she carried around and we called it her 'baby'. Sadly, she developed arthritis in her front foot/leg from all the years walking on the concrete floor of the barn and was operated on. The surgery was a success but she later died of pneumonia. //Candy Hitchcock

"Hi Ryan, Here is a picture of me with Dixie. I am holding here ‘baby’. Candy"
Courtesy of C Hitchcock

Happy Easter!

Happy Easter from ShowMe Elephants. The first image features Have Trunk Will Travel, owned and operated by the most respected animal handlers and trainers in the country. The second two images were taken at the Kelly Miller Circus during our tour of the Natural State.

Bill Prickett Collection - Moolah Shrine Circus

Spent an enjoyable Sunday afternoon in St. Charles, Mo. visiting the Royal Hanneford production for the Moolah Shrine. Mark Rethemeyer, Circus Dir. said that attendance at all the scheduled shows had been good and nothing but favorable comments from the patrons. //Bill Prickett, 04/03/2012

"Nina and Viola, elephant rides, 04-01-12"
Courtesy of B Prickett

Candy Hitchcock Collection - Dahlip

Hi Ryan,
This is Dahlip and me. He was about 6 years old then. I have a really wonderful photo of Dixie and me which I will scan and send. I’ll dig around to see if I can find any others.

"I worked as an assistant to Bill Doss, the elephant trainer at the Crandon Park Zoo in 1974-75. I took care of 3 elephants. Seetna and Dahlip were a young pair that had been imported from India. Dixie was the zoo's first elephant and about 20 when I knew her."
Courtesy of C Hitchcock