Highland Park Zoo - Part I

The Pittsburgh Zoo has a long history of housing and exhibiting Asian elephants prior to their currently successful African elephant breeding program. Unfortunately, very little of this history is recorded in the North American Regional Studbook for the Asian Elephant. Referencing archived news records of the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette and others, more insight can be found regarding the Highland Park Zoo's early elephant history.

St. Louis Zoo - Eleanor

The story starts in 1955, with eight elephants imported by Louis Goebel and purchased by Anheuser Busch for the St. Louis Zoo. The new animals were to be trained by Floyd Smith and presented to the public in daily shows, a testament to the Polack act trained by Mac MacDonald. Within five years, three of the group were sold. The first, Eleanor, was sold to the Weed Park Zoo in Muscatine, Iowa, in September 1959.

OpLink - History review (original record card / ks)
0/8 purchased from Louis Goebel Wild Animal Farm ($3,500 ea. price plus insurance, $28,000 total) with funds donated by Anheuser-Busch Charitable Trust. 0/4 arrived at Goebel in May 1954 and another 0/4 in October 1954, where they remained for training by Zoo elephant trainer, Floyd Smith, until being trucked to the Zoo by Anheuser-Busch.

Postcard 4, St Louis Zoo
Postcard Courtesy of S Hoss

Erie Zoo - Tom Boy

Wayne Jackson recently submitted a photo to ShowMe Elephants looking to identify the animal and facility. With the help of former Erie Zoo elephant keeper Kris Hopkins, the photo was identified as Shani of the Erie Zoo. A multiple part series featuring the elephant history of the Erie Zoo will begin, with many animals needing further information to complete their stories.

>> "Erie Zoo" at ShowMe Elephants

According to Erie Zoo spokesman Scott Mitchell, former Erie radio personality Barry Grossman once made the profound observation, "Erie people often identify their generation by the elephant at the zoo at the time they were growing up."

Smokey Jones

Circus Fans Association of America

CFA offers you an opportunity interact with fellow circus enthusiasts in many ways. Local geographic groups (called TENTS) provide a chance for folks who live in the same geographic area to attend shows together and to meet to discuss the circus scene. State organizations (called TOPS) organize larger gatherings and special events. Periodically, there is a national convention when Fans from throughout the country convene. //Don Covington, CFA President 2012-2013

Circus Report 09/13/1993

Artie

The following photo was taken by Wayne Jackson in Florida in 1990. The animal pictured is an African male owned by Gary Jacobson.

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.

Wildlife Safari

The following photograph features the African elephant herd of Wildlife Safari in the early 1990s. A notation on the back, while lacking a date, identifies the young male George as castrated.

A former article at ShowMe Elephants discusses a large import group of elephants to the park from Africa in 1979.

>> http://www.showmeelephants.com/2013/03/wildlife-safari-imports-1979.html

Wildlife Safari
Courtesy of M Easley

African Lion Safari - Brandy

The Hunt Brothers, owners of International Animal Exchange, operated out of Ferndale, Michigan, dealt in an incredible number of elephants. However, their larger animals were transferred through two facilities outside of Michigan - African Lion Safari in Port Clinton, Ohio, and International Wildlife Park / Lion Country Safari in Grand Prairie, Texas. A news article from Toledo documents the shipment of a young elephant to California.

Courtesy of ToledoBlade.com

Moolah Shrine Circus 1992

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, 1992
Courtesy of  M Easley

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

Sparks Casino - Angel

The following page was found in a July 1990 Circus Report, less than a year following the Sparks Casino's purchase of a year old female calf from Roman Schmitt's breeding program at Busch Gardens.

Circus Report 07/30/1990

Moolah Shrine Circus 1988

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. I look forward to beginning these sets.

Moolah Shrine Circus, St. Louis, 1988
Photo Courtesy of M Easley

Highland Park Zoo - Rani

The Children's Zoo at Highland Park in Pittsburgh displayed a number of baby elephants, a custom most prevalent in zoos during the 1960s to 1970s. As worded by Toledo gossip columnist Don Wolfe, "the custom of trading in an automobile on a new model every few years has spread to elephants." The North American Regional Studbook for the Asian Elephant does not list any of the in-and-out animals to populate the Children's Zoo but four animals have been found, all using the "recycled" name Rani.

Children's Zoo - Highland Park - Pittsburgh
Courtesy of delcampe.net

Ringling Bros. Blue Unit 1972

Veterinarian John Cunningham of Olney, Maryland, worked on the ringstock crew of Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey Circus in 1972 prior to attending veterinary school. During his annual visit to the Kelly Miller Circus, he shared his collection of photographs taken during his employment with the show.

Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey Circus Blue Unit 1972
Courtesy of Dr. J. Cunningham

Planter's Peanut Company

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 "Cinderelephant."

Zirkus Charles Knie 2013

Who says there "ain't no cure for the summertime blues?"

Zirkus Charles Knie ( D ) 2013
Courtesy of It's Circustime on Facebook

George Carden Circus Int'l 1980s

The following photograph can be found at Angie's Circus City Diner in Hugo, Oklahoma. It was posted to the Circus Historical Society's Facebook page with a question to the identity of the show, animals and handlers. Veteran bear trainer James C. Hall answers the inquiry.

Taken at Angie's Circus City Diner
Courtesy of R Easley 01/2013

Thousand Oaks - Sheba

Bandwagon magazine's Elephant Census, published in the March/April 1960 edition, lists a female Asian elephant "Sheba" at Auction City, Norwalk, California from 1952 to present. Sheba is listed acquired from Louis Goebel in Thousand Oaks, California.

Courtesy of dyingindowney on Flickr

Training Baby Elephants - Louisville Zoo

The following photographs were taken at the Louisville Zoo in Kentucky, February 2008. Featured is the 11 month old male African elephant Scotty with his trainer, retired elephant supervisor Dave Campbell.

Louisville Zoo 02/2008
Courtesy of R Easley

European Elephant Census 1993

The following elephant census was published in Circus Report No. 16, 04/19/1993. It reportedly includes both zoo and circus elephants and breaks the numbers down by both species and sex. The listing was compiled by Ray Owen of Herts, England.

Countries include Sweden, Denmark, United Kingdom, Holland, Belgium, Germany, Switzerland, Austria, Yugoslavia, Romania, Hungary, Czech, Poland and USSR.

African Elephants of Carson & Barnes Circus

The Carson and Barnes Circus, more famously known for its large herd of Asian elephants in the 1970s and 1980s, also featured numerous African elephants in their wild animal menagerie - 7 total it seems, acquired in three different groups.

Carson & Barnes Circus 1980s
Courtesy of B. Cline, Buckles Blog

Baltimore Zoo 2010

The following photographs were taken in May 2010 at the Maryland Zoo in Baltimore. The facility exhibits five African elephants - females Dolly, Anna and Felix with males Tuffy and Samson.

Main exhibt yard w/ barn in background
Courtesy of R. Easley

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

Franklin Park Zoo - Pat

The Franklin Park Zoo acquired a nine month old, 650 pound baby elephant in March 1952, bringing its herd of Asian elephants to four, joining Beba, Topsy and Jennie.

Courtesy of BostonGlobe.com

Riddle's Elephant Sanctuary 2004 I

The following photographs were taken in August 2004 at Riddle's Elephant Sanctuary. This documentation of the facility's morning bath routine features two of the six African males the Arkansas location held - Solomon and Tuffy.

Riddle's Elephant Sanctuary 08/2004
Courtesy of R. Easley

Henry Vilas Zoo 1981

Wayne Jackson, the retired "Wanderin' Elephant Man," recently shared this picture taken at then Henry Vilas Zoo in 1981. He inquired what became of these young elephants.

Circus Vargas - Dutchess

ShowMe Elephants recently discussed the beginnings of the Circus Vargas-owned elephant herd under owner Cliff Vargas and elephant trainer Wally Ross.

The 1974 Circus Vargas herd featured a herd of nine ( including an African and a male ) in its second year of owning, rather than leasing, elephants.

Colonel, Koora and unknown w/ Wally Ross
Courtesy of Buckles Woodcock

The first five elephants, acquired in 1973, were acquired from Gene Holter of California - Minnie, Colonel Joe, Shirley, Virginia ( renamed Lottie ? ) and Judy. Four more animals were acquired the following year - Hattie, Trixie, Koora and Dutchess.

Six Flags Great Adventure

In 1974, Gary Hill picked out 25 baby African elephants for the opening of Six Flags Great Adventure in New Jersey. We are looking to compile the complete list of names brought back from the Chipperfield station.

Circus Vargas - 1974

The 1974 Circus Vargas herd featured a herd of nine ( including an African and a male ) in its second year of owning, rather than leasing, elephants.

Colonel, Koora and unknown w/ Wally Ross
Courtesy of Buckles Woodcock

Lowry Park Zoo 1992

The following photographs were taken in summer 1992 at the Lowry Park Zoo in Tampa, Florida. At the time, the facility exhibited two female Asian elephants, Tillie and Minyak.

Lowry Park Zoo, Tampa, Florida 1992
Photo © M Easley

Portland Zoo - Tuskanini

The Portland Zoo in Oregon promoted a very prolific breeding program from the 1960s to 1980s. Four elephants were born in 1973 at the facility. The first for the year, a male named Tuskanini, was the first of six born to female Me-Tu, herself born at the Portland Zoo as well.

Courtesy of Petra Prager, Elefanten-Fotolexikon.eu

Mike Cecere / David Meeks / Arthur Jones

Circus Report 01/27/1986, p. 25

A January 1987 Circus Report lists animal trainer Mike Cecere with 12 elephants in New Jersey - an Asian female, three African males and 8 African females.

St. Louis Zoo / Audubon Zoo

A fascinating news clip in an August 1977 Circus Report documents the transfer of two elephants from New Orlean's Audubon Park Zoo to the St. Louis Zoo.

Circus Report 08/22/1977, p. 13

Wildlife Safari imports 1979

Wildlife Safari's Spring Newsletter discusses the arrival of African elephants to the Oregon drive-through in the 1970s.

With gratitude to Jesse Golden for sharing, "Wild Times," the newsletter for members of the Wildlife Safari, discusses the beginnings of said park thanks to naturalist and businessman Frank Hart.

In 1972 Frank was able to convince his employer, Walker and Lee, to develop 600 acres in Winston, Oregon. The site was ideal for a large reserve that could display animals from around the world in a natural setting. With rolling hills abundant in foliage and water resources closely resembling African and Asian terrain, a large variety of animal life could be supported. Wildlife Safari opened the next year.
http://www.wildlifesafari.net/cur/documents/Spring2012final4-6-12.pdf

Courtesy of Wild Times, Spring 2013

Circus Report Elephant Census 1985

A February 1986 issue of Circus Report documented performing elephants across the United States. Elephant listings such as these provide an invaluable resource, not only to help track transfers and sales to new owners, but also to give an overall view of a show's herd at a given time. The recording for the 1985 season lists several elephants, both African and Asian, for which no further information can be found at this time. More information is sought regarding these animals and their history.

R. Olsen - African female "Alecki"

D. McAuliffe - African female "Daisy"

Grover Callahan - African female "Eatewa"

Marty Dennis - Asian female "Gypsy"

Steve Martin - Asian female "Jenny"

Pat Guthrie - Asian female "Lisa"

Ringling show 1955

These images were shared for publication on ShowMe Elephants by a circus fan last year. They appear to show the Ringling show circa 1955.

Smokey Jones & "Louie"
Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey Circus 1955