Elephants 


Elephants were a major attraction at Chessington for many years... both in the Zoo and the performing in the Circus. However 1981 plans were made to transform the Zoo in to theme park and many of the larger animals were relocated to other collections to make way for arrival of theme park rides.


Thankfully parts of the zoo survived the re-modelling and although on much smaller scale, the zoo areas that remained have managed to stand the test of time and are now a key feature in Chessington's success.

Picture
"Bella" the 3 year old Indian Elephant likes the shade, so keeper Evelyn Paulo walks along holding a large sun umbrella to sheld her from the sun on a daily stroll. 1st June 1972
Picture
"Bella" the 3 1/2 year old indian elephant, gets a manicure and shampoo from her keeper Evelyn Paulo and Zoo employee Andy Bowen. 18th November 1972


From the zoos opening in 1931 up until 1996 when the last elephant left, there are records for at least 7 elephants having lived at Chessington...

Summer has gone and the circus has moved into it's winter quarters. But the empty circus ring cones an attraction for next summer, a baby indian elephant. Here she is being put through her paces by her trainer and keeper Evelyn Paulo.
The majority of the the elephants housed at Chessington over the years were Asian, however there is one African elephant recorded who was named "Estar". 

One of Chessington's ex-elephants is still alive and living in UK, although she is now aged 46. 


Source: http://www.elephant.se / http://asianelephant.net
Chessington Zoo's Elephants

  • Bella (Asian) - Arrived: 19th May 1970 Departed: 1990 
        (Died at Chessington on 30th May 1990 - Aged 22)
  • Rosie (Asian) - Arrived: 1932 from Circus Chipperfield  / Departed: 1940                                            
        (Died at Chessington in 1940 - Aged 12)
  • Comet (Asian) - Arrived: Unknown / Departed: Unknown                                                                      (Status Unknown)
  • Marjorie (Asian) - Arrived: 25th June 1969 / Departed: Unknown                                                            (Died 26th January 1990 - Aged 29)
  • Lulu (Asian) - Arrived: 6th February 1969 / Departed: 1970 to Circus Hoffman                                  (Died at Belfast Zoo in 2006 from Arthritis - Aged 40)
  • Maya (Asian) - Arrived: 6th April 1990 from Bristol Zoo  / Departed: 19th July 1990 to Chester Zoo    (Alive, aged 46 - Chester Zoo) 
  • Estar (African) - Arrived: Unknown / Departed: 22nd July 1979 to Dudley Zoo                                   (Died at Dudley Zoo 12th Novemeber 1987 - Aged 9)

Notes:
  1. A report in The Gazette newspaper on Tuesday 16th June 1970, mentions that Chessington Zoo's "Lulu" had died - reading what information is available on the internet, it appears that there were two different elephants that were both called Lulu.  Over time there may have been a mistake and the two animals confused for being the same one, therefore it may be that Chessington's baby "Lulu" actually died in 1970 shortly after appearing on Blue Peter and that the adult "Lulu" that died in Belfast in 2006 was a completely different elephant. More information on this subject is discussed here: http://h2g2.com/dna/h2g2/alabaster/A87736134
  2. The same newspaper report, names an additional two elephants called "Candy" & "Barbara" that supposedly belonged to Chessington Zoo and lived with "Lulu" - unfortunately no other information or documentation can be found for them at present so they remain unlisted.
  3. I have since found a report from the Milwaukee Journal that is dated Tuesday 15th September 1970, which reports of  "Lulu" the elephant at Chessington Zoo who is oiled to protect her skin from cracking by keeper Evlyn Pavlo -  released almost 3 months after the Gazette reported of her death... 
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                        The Gazette - Report on "Lulu" being dead                                               The Milwaukee Journal - Report on Lulu and her oiled skin