Narrating the correlation of elephants as related to their import, groupings, breeding and transfers,
along with other elephant related topics.

Tuesday, April 16, 2013

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

Friday, April 12, 2013

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

Wednesday, April 10, 2013

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.

Tuesday, April 9, 2013

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

Sunday, March 31, 2013

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

Saturday, March 30, 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"

Tuesday, March 26, 2013

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