Elephants
​

Elephants were a major attraction at Chessington for many years... both in the Zoo and the circus, however in 1981 plans were made to transform the Zoo in to a theme park and many of the larger animals were relocated to other collection in order to make way for the arrival of the 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.

"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

 

Chessington Zoo. 'Comet' the 20 year old Elephant pictured waking up keeper Phillip Ashford. Surrey, July 1952

"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

  

Chessington Zoo Comet' the 20 year old Elephant pictured waking up keeper Phillip Ashford and making sure he washes behind the ears, Surrey. July 1952

From the zoos opening in 1931 up until 1996 when the last elephant left, there are records for at least 9 elephants having lived at Chessington...

​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 at Chester Zoo.
Source: http://www.elephant.se  http://asianelephant.net

---

Chessington Zoo's Elephants

• Bella (Asian) - Born: Wild - Captured 1968 

          Arrived: 19th May 1970 from Tyseley Pet Store, Birmingham / Departed: 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 November 1987 - Aged 9)

• Candy (Unknown)

           Details unknown​: Mentioned in The Gazette newspaper June 1970 -

• Barbara (Asian)*4

          Arrived: May 1954 from India - Aged 3 / Departed: Unknown

​ 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. 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. 
3. A report in The Gazette newspaper, 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 uncounted.
4. Photo & Information on Barbara has since been sourced from an original 1958 Chessington Zoo Guide book.

The Gazette newspaper mentioning an additional two elephants called "Candy" & "Barbara" that supposedly lived with "Lulu" 

26th February 1971 Bella, a 17 month old Indian elephant in residence at the Chessington Zoo, has a hair-raising problem on her mind. Bella couldn't remember the mouse's name; that was doubly disconcerting considering Bella's reputation for having a memory like.. like.. like one of those big grey animals.

 

Milwaukee Journal article reporting on Lulu. This story was released almost 3 months after the Gazette reported of her death. 

21 August 1979 Cub scouts Timothy Molyneua and Shaun O'Neil who are in the 11th Wallington St Elpheges Pack, share their tea with Marjorie the elephant at Chessington Zoo

​Barbara the Indian elephant at Chessington in the 1960's, again the same elephant (Right) taken from an old Chessington guide book.

​24 August 1971 Bella, an Indian elephant from Chessington Zoo, in the outfield at The Oval during the England v India, third Test. The Oval is the home ground of Surrey County Cricket Club, and also traditionally hosts the final Test match of each English summer season in late August or early September.

Below: Comet the baby elephant from Chessington Zoo in 1939.

December 1938 Comet, an elephant from Chessington Zoo spends the weekend as a waiter at the Trocadero Restaurant in Piccadilly Circus, London,

Comet the zoo's elephant hauls the tram to its final ​destination

​The very last tramcar to the 'Elephant and Castle' and its Comet propelled. London discarded its trams a couple of months ago and this vehicle (the last to actually run in the capital) was brought by an association of tramcar lovers and donated to Chessington Zoo.

---

​Rosie & the fruit stall

Above: Rosie the elephant advertising Chessington Zoo in Surrey,
​attacks a fruit stall in 1932.

Epsom grandstand
Left and below: One of the Chessington elephant's in the Epsom Grandstand for the Lest We Forget Association, some time in the 30's.
Images courtesy of the Bourne Hall Museum