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