Jumbo Packs her Trunk...

Shere_Khan · **Jumbo Packs her Trunk...** 23-11-2009

Yay!

Animal rights group welcomes Jumbo the elephant's retirement | NATIONAL News

PAT · 23-11-2009

She could be sent to Western Plains Zoo because they have two ex-circus, African elephants living there in some great exhibits.

brad09 · 23-11-2009

wouldn't it be cheaper to send here to dubbo, But if they were going to send here to australia they probably would of already talked about it.

Steve Robinson · 23-11-2009

Quote:

Originally Posted by brad09

wouldn't it be cheaper to send here to dubbo, But if they were going to send here to australia they probably would of already talked about it.

No import protocols currently exist to bring Africans into Australia.

The circus tour of NZ has concluded and it will now return to Australia. As the elephant cannot come to, it was a good decision all round to give her to the SPCA.

Sending her to the States gives the NZ SPCA a good fund raising opportunity and brownie points. It also gives the US "sanctuary" more earning potential.

Whether the elephant wants or needs others of it's own kind when it has so completely bonded with one human would not have been the driving force behind this placement.

Jarkari · 25-11-2009

Quote:

Originally Posted by PAT

She could be sent to Western Plains Zoo because they have two ex-circus, African elephants living there in some great exhibits.

The ex circus elephants at Dubbo are Asian's.

Steve Robinson · 25-11-2009

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jarkari

The ex circus elephants at Dubbo are Asian's.

The two African girls are also ex-circus.

*ZYBen* · 25-11-2009

All these ex-circus Animal in Aussie Zoos, anyone would think Zoo's are Happy to deal with circuses.

Steve Robinson · 25-11-2009

Quote:

Originally Posted by ZYBen

All these ex-circus Animal in Aussie Zoos, anyone would think Zoo's are Happy to deal with circuses.

In the days before PC reared it's ugly head zoos and circuses worked together well for the benefit of the animals in both institutions.

In fact, going way back, some of Australia's now major zoos got their start from donations of animals by generous circus owners.

And some major zoos, not too long ago, were very happy to unload "problem" animals on to circuses.

Chlidonias · 28-11-2009

video from news programme Campbell Live last night 3 News > Video > Campbell Live > Circus elephant 'Jumbo' to begin new life

Quote:

Circuses always used to have an elephant, trained to stand on drums or barrels, staring sadly into space, or standing on each other, with a circus lady triumphant atop them.

This was probably cruel, and the days chained inside a trailer travelling from one location to the next, certainly was.

Elephants like to stretch their legs, African elephants walk up to 80km a day when food is scarce. So gradually, elephants in the travelling circus have been retired, or put out to pasture – but where?

New Zealand’s only African elephant, Jumbo, has spent three decades living in a trailer with the circus. Tomorrow, a new life begins. But has the damage already been done?

various comments on the link including this one from someone who seems confused about the distinction between zoos and circuses

Quote:

I am totally against ANY animals being paraded around in a zoo. They are abused, beaten, tortured until they are walking zombies. It disgusts me how we humans treat animals
& to bind them to a chain locked up in a confimed space made to perform night after night without proper nourishment
I doubt they are ever taken or seen by a vet, their wounds festering. The lucky ones die at an early age. Others like JUmbo live 30/40/50 years in this hellhole never knowing what freedom is, unloved, uncared for, very few get saved from this existance & when they do its usually too late. They generally die soon afterwards. The experience of discovering the life that they should have lived & the wasted life that they have lived in is probably too much for them. It sickens me when I watch WSPCA & PETA reports on abuse to animals, and the circus people should be made to stand trial for their crimes.

here is the original Zoochat thread about Jumbo African Elephant

crazy-cat · 02:12 AM

I have just watched the latest news report concerning Jumbo and would like to commend the SPCA for coming to her aid, the video clearly shows that she is suffering from acute psychological distress . The reporter mentioned that these elephant can walk 80 km per day in the wild when in search of food , and she as been confined for many years
I really hope that Jumbo has a very long and happy retirement , she deserves it . I really do not think that there is any place for any animals in circuses today , and disagree with them using animals, you really would think that mankind would know better now.
Good luck dear Jumbo .

Chlidonias · 02-12-2009

SPCA takes care of circus elephant Jumbo | Stuff.co.nz

Quote:

How to feed a three tonne elephant was the dilemma facing her Rodney minders and new owners the SPCA.

Jumbo was staying at a South Head property after retiring from the circus last week, and she had truckloads of food – including 11.5 tonnes of pineapple – to keep her happy.

Feeding the elephant normally costs about $200 daily.

Jumbo was handed over to the SPCA’s care after finishing a year’s job with the Loritz Circus, under the care of Weber Brothers Circus where she served for 28 years.

She was moved to Franklin Zoo during the weekend.

Weber Brothers owner Harry Weber says she has had a busy career.

"Jumbo is a real crowd favourite and it’s always been our intention to ensure she has the opportunity to enjoy the second half of her life at a less hectic pace and out of the public eye," he says.

"Being on the road with the circus can be tiring for animals and their health and well-being is always our main priority. The care and transport of an animal of this size is also a big undertaking."

The 36-year-old African elephant is one of only two elephants in New Zealand. The other is an Indian elephant at Auckland Zoo.

Jumbo’s handler and good friend Tony Ratcliffe, who has been with Jumbo for 28 years, visits her every day.

"Jumbo is a middle-aged elephant. Elephants can live upwards of 60 years."

Tony has a strong bond with Jumbo and is the only one who can take her in and out of her truck, where she stays overnight.

"An elephant chooses her friends. Once they do that, they bond for life. You can’t just walk in and out of an elephant’s life."

Local residents have all lent a hand to help take care of Jumbo and Trudy Hall has been co-ordinating the delivery of fresh food.

"We’ve had huge support from the local business community. Jumbo has been well fed with apples, carrots, bananas, sugar beet, grass, willow, bamboo and pineapples."

Mt Wellington’s Turners and Growers, Kumeu’s Boric Orchards, Parakai’s Four Square Supermarket, Waimauku’s Sunnyview Orchards and Sunrise Orchards, Helensville’s Te Awaroa Gardens and Woolworths, and Whenuapai’s Vegeco are among the many organisations that have donated food.

Property owner Sue Wilson heard Jumbo needed a place to stay until her next home at Franklin Zoo was finished.

"I met Jumbo about 21 years ago while producing a children’s television programme. I stayed in touch with Tony, then we did a documentary on Jumbo.

"I bought this property in the hope of getting an elephant, but it’s hard to get a zoo licence. This can be Jumbo’s holiday home though."

Tony says they don’t know yet if Jumbo will take to her new home, but both he and the SPCA are determined to make sure she is happy.

"It was always our intention that one day she would retire.

"We worried about how to do it. We want to make sure it works out for everyone.

"Over the next few months we will be assessing her wellbeing because she will be alone, we will see how she goes."

The SPCA has set up a special fund for the public to support the cost of her care and feeding. Donations can be made to the Jumbo Fund at any SPCA office or via the SPCA website at RNZSPCA - Home.

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