Circus Vargas - Jack

A note regarding Circus Varas news in June 1976 Circus Report announces the addition of an eight year old male to the show, bringing the herd size to ten.

Circus Report, 5th year No 24, Page 15, 06/14/1976
Courtesy of CircusHistory.org

Pennsylvania Elephant Confiscation

A news article published in September 2000 documents the confiscation of an elephant by the United States Department of Agriculture from Jim Stephens, owner of Water Wheel Exotics, Inc.

Photo Courtesy of Pittsburgh Post Gazette, 09/04/2000

Mystery Photograph - Batman

Information is sought regarding the identity of this elephant. Perhaps the headpiece and bracelets are recognizable?

Dierenpark Emmen Birth

Originally posted 05/22/2012
Updated 06/12/2012

Last February, ShowMe Elephants discussed the birth of a male calf at the Emmen Zoo, sired by breeding bull Radza and fourth for the thirty year old Burmese cow Htoo Yin Aye.

>> "Emmen Zoo Birth," ShowMe Elephants, 02/09/2011

Today it has been announced another male calf has been born for the Netherlands breeding group, the seventh for 31 year old Burmese cow Htoo Kin Aye.

Newborn male calf, Dierenpark Emmen, May 2012.
Photo Courtesy of Dierenpark Emmen / Elly Bouwens

Circo Hermanos Atayde

Originally posted 05/26/2011
Reposted 06/06/2012
Mr. Herriott, can you tell us who the elephants were you worked in the picture below? Were they of American origin?

The following photographs were taken in a two year time span. The first group features a three act, while the last picture includes a five act presented by Ramon Esqueda.

Circo Atayde Hnos. 1980 #3
"Safari" (from Bertram Mills), "Rosie" and "Clara" trained by Jimmy Reynolds
Courtesy of Buckles Blog

Petely

A series of photographs taken at the Los Angeles Zoo in California raised question to the identity of the elephant and its handler. Recent commentary by Darryl inform the trainer is Gary Jacobson, current elephant trainer for the Ringling Brothers and Barnum & Bailey Circus' Center for Elephant Conservation, with his former male Asian elephant Petely.

Los Angeles Zoo, c. 1980s
Courtesy of J Romo

Eddie Drake - Toka

Originally posted 04/13/2012
Updated 05/29/2012 with news article and image

An interesting ad in a 1977 issue of The Circus Report announces an act and elephant rides available for rent.

Circus Report, 6th year No 17, Page 8, 04/25/1977
Courtesy of CircusHistory.org

Los Angeles Zoo 1977

The North American Regional Studbook for the African Elephant lists the arrival of four 6 year old female African elephants from animal importer Jurgen Schulz on November 28, 1977. Josephine, Lolly, Sage and McClean are all listed as acquired by Schulz around 1974 before their sale to the California zoo three years later. According to studbook records, Josephine and Lolly were sold together approximately two years later to the Asian country of Taiwan. Sage and McClean resided together, along with other elephants of both species, in the Los Angeles Zoo elephant exhibit until the death of Sage in May 1984 and McClean in March 1986.

Gabe, Misty & Sage, Enchanted Village, 1976-77
Courtesy of D Wichert

Ringling Blue Unit 1987 - Tigers

The following photographs were taken in August 1987 in Dallas, Texas, of the Ringling Brothers and Barnum & Bailey Circus (Blue Unit).

Courtesy of M Easley

Ringling Blue Unit 1987 - Elephants II

The following photographs were taken in August 1987 in Dallas, Texas, of the Ringling Brothers and Barnum & Bailey Circus (Blue Unit).

Courtesy of M Easley

Ringling Blue Unit 1987 - Elephants I

The following photographs were taken in August 1987 in Dallas, Texas, of the Ringling Brothers and Barnum & Bailey Circus (Blue Unit).

Courtesy of M Easley

Elephants of Columbia

The Parque Zoológico de Santa Fe announced earlier this year the death of their 73 year old female Asian elephant, Lady, due to complications of old age.

"Zoologico Santa Fe (Elefante)"
Courtesy of Kmilocg, Panoramio.com

Twycross Zoo - Linda

From Eddy Powell, England, 04/02/2012:

I am trying to find out what happen to a young African Elephant I use to look after. Her name is Linda. she was born in 1969. On inquiring with Twycross zoo where we were. I got reply back as follows. Linda was sold to the Chipperfields in 1974 there is a note on her record to say that this sale wa for onward transmission to Cuba. Dose anyone know what happen to her. Thanking you Eddy Powell

Recent Updates at Elephant.se

Zoo Plaisance once again exhibits elephants, acquiring two adolescent African elephants on January 3 from another French facility, Zoo de la Fleche. The half brothers, Pembe and Akili, were born in 2001 and 2002 to mothers Bahati and Norris, respectively, at Ramat Gan. Two months following their transfer out, la Fleche replaced the two African males with two more. Both of the 6 year old animals arrived on March 14 from Hodenhagen Serengeti Park in Germany, Boten (captive born at Ramat Gan in Israel) and Bou-Bou (captive born at Hodenhagen).

Hoxie Brothers Circus - Bonnie and Jessie

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

Thursday, May 17, 2012
Unknown elephant 1952
54th Annual National Convention of Zeta Beta Tau, Jewish college fraternity Chicago which had a menagerie set up for guest's to enjoy. Could this elephant have been from the Hawthorn Mellody Zoo? Their elephant at the time was named Jessie.
Posted by Wade G. Burck

De Olmense Zoo

From Peter Stolk, 05/14/2012:

De Olmense Zoo in Belgium again has elephants, two females!

"2012 - Olifanten Jenny en Kariba houden koffieklets"
Courtesy of De Olmsense Zoo on Facebook

Endangered Ark Foundation - Breeding Program

The Carson & Barnes Circus and Endangered Ark Foundation recently celebrated the first birthday of their elephant herd's youngest member, Hugo! The product of natural breeding between 20 year old Tommy and 42 year old Whimpy, his addition brings the total number of males for the facility to four.

Hugo, 08/2011
Courtesy of Carson & Barnes Circus on Facebook

Happy Mother's Day - Rotterdam Zoo

"I believe the top left cow is Yasmin with her mother Irma next to her. Front left: Anak, Sibu and Trong Nhi. Anak is Yasmins daughter and Sibu is the youngest calf of Irma. Trong Nhi is the daughter of Douanita. Father of Anak, Sibu and Trong Nhi is Alexander. //Lillian Berthung

Family photo from Blijdorp Zoo in Rotterdam, 08/2004
Courtesy of Lillian Berthung

Indianapolis Zoo - Kedar

The Indianapolis Zoo celebrated the third calf born to their herd of African elephants in October 2005. Via a "Name the Baby" contest, the male was named Kedar.

Kedar, Indianapolis Zoo, 05/2012
Courtesy of R Easley

Indianapolis Zoo - Ivory and Zahara

The Indianapolis Zoo currently houses two breeding females in their African elephant herd, Ivory and Kubwa. Two year old Ivory joined eight year old Kubwa at the former site of the Indianapolis Zoo in September 1984 from the Hwange National Park in Zimbabwe, imported by the International Animal Exchange. In December 1987, the pair was moved the zoo's new site near downtown Indianapolis. These two elephants became the first two African elephants in the world to give birth via Artificial Insemination.

Zahara & Ivory, Indianapolis Zoo, 05/2012
Courtesy of R Easley

Photographs From the Son - Indianapolis Zoo Reflections

The following photographs were taken in May 2012 at the Indianapolis Zoo in Indiana.

Tombi, Kalina & Kubwa, Indianapolis Zoo, 05/2012
Courtesy of R Easley

Daily Life on the Kelly Miller Circus

Becky & Traci, Kelly Miller Circus, 05/2012
Courtesy of R Easley

Bandoola (Inquiry for Book Enthusiasts)

'Bandoola' was written by J.H. Williams and published in 1952. Mr. Williams also wrote the classics 'Elephant Bill' and 'Big Charlie.' I remember reading Bandoola as a child and believe it was illustrated with heavy black line drawings of both wild and captive Asian elephants in their natural territory. Can anyone confirm if this is the book I recollect with these drawings? The drawings were strong but simple, many featuring large tuskers and females with calves.

Cebu City Zoo

A December 2000 article published in International Zoo News Vol. 47/8 (No. 305) brings to light mention of a baby Asian elephant at the Cebu Zoological and Botanical Gardens in the Philippines.

"Cebu City – A Pictorial Souvenir"
Courtesy of MyCebuPhotoBlog.wordpress.com

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

New changes have been made to ShowMe Elephants for improvements and ease of usage.

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

The Zoo/Aquarium Video Archive Project

Ryan,
As you can see by the attachment the zoo/aquarium is a very unique project that I am involved with. Would it be possible for you to include this PDF in your blog. If possible it would be very much appreciated. We are continuing to seek funding and PR for the project.
Mark

Museum of Osteology I

Several months ago I visited America's only skeleton museum, the Museum of Osteology in Oklahoma City. A friend and Oklahoma City Zoo elephant handler was kind enough to take me to the location during my visit to the zoo. After touring the location's two-level showroom, we met the owner and were given a special behind-the-scenes tour of the facility.

Felidae Family, Museum of Osteology"
Courtesy of R Easley

The Father's Photographs - Oklahoma City Zoo

The following photographs were taken in the early 1980s at the Oklahoma City Zoo.

Photo 1, Oklahoma City Zoo, early 1980s"
Courtesy of R Easley

Photographs From the Son - St. Louis Zoo 2011 I

The following photographs were taken on December 26, 2011, a day preceding the St. Louis Zoo's breeding bull Raja's 19th birthday.

Raja, St. Louis Zoo, 12/2011
Courtesy of R Easley