Jumbo the Elephant

Perhaps no animal has been as famous and certainly no animal has been the focus of such a range of public emotions in both life and death than Jumbo the elephant. When P.T. Barnum purchased him from the Zoological Society of London 1882, a patriotic outcry ensued in England. Jumbo had been a favourite at Regent’s Park (London’s zoo), carrying innumerable children on his back: a national treasure was being given up to a transatlantic rival. Despite the public protest, Jumbo was shipped to America, along with his lifelong caretaker and trainer, Matthew Scott.

Jumbo was the star of Barnum’s American Museum until he was killed by a train on September 15th, 1885 while crossing railroad tracks in St. Thomas, Ontario. The collision derailed the train, and 150 people were required to haul the elephant's body up an embankment. Barnum commissioned what was called the largest taxidermy project ever undertaken. He gave the skeleton to the American Museum of Natural History, and the stuffed Jumbo was the centrepiece of Barnum’s travelling circus for four years. Eventually, Barnum donated Jumbo to Tuffs University, MA where he instantly became the university’s beloved mascot until a fire finally destroyed him in 1975.

Comments

[Elephant Enthusiast]

At the time, apparently, Jumbo was leading the tiny elephant called "Tom Thumb", who was also hit by the train.

[Ila Lidkea - 7 yrs old]

I wish Jumbo was still alive so he or she could be my pet. I would take care of him and feed him what ever he needs to eat and i would let him sleep in my front yard and if anybody tried to take him i would say nobody tries to take my Elephant or he will get you with his tusks.I love animals so much that i pretend to be one.I love Elephants to.

[Isaak- 4 yes old]

I love Jumbo the Elephant and i want to play with him. I want to play toys with him.I want to play all the stuff with him. And i want to play fireman with him.

[Mya vermulst]

I wish jumbo was never killed by the train.waaaaaaaaaaaaaaaa boo hoo.