This is what I like in male Asian Elephants, Ryan. I know the top picture isn't what you were asking, but I wanted to see it again, plus I thought I would throw you a bone so you didn't whine that the below pictures won't enlarge. Sorry, but it should give you an idea. They are in no particular order. I heard somebody around the first elephant had ruined him. Is that true. LOL The last boy is for old times sake, that Thai. I really liked Buke, Gardner, Toto, Vance, Tunga, and my special boy Nic. He was an image of his daddy. And the Greatest of the Greatest King Tusk
Monday, August 18, 2008
For Ryan
Posted by
Wade G. Burck
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12 comments:
Wade, when we go to Cincinnati in early September, we will try to get you a picture of Sabu. Mike describes him as "tall and lanky".
Mary Ann
Wade-
Ruined him? What do you mean?
I may be biased because he was my father's first bull, but Onyx was a beautiful, picture perfect bull. Raja is looking more and more like him. And to bring up a conversation I was involved in the other day, congratulations to African Lion Safari / Syracuse. Baby Chuck's pedigree includes Rex, Indy and Vance. wow. Similar to Rani's calf at St. Louis, an F2 descendent of Onyx and Indy.
With elephants you have the pretty and the not-so-pretty. Onyx and his son are could be the first group, Packy and his son Khun-Chorn the latter. But bulls are bulls and must be respected for what they are, and respect to those that care for them and handle them on a daily basis.
Three items -
Hackenberger's Vance or Ringling's Vance?
I am embarrased to ask but where was Toto from?
And lastly, any stories about Gardner? Would be interested to hear.
Thanks
Ryan,
Hackenberger's Vance was the one I was referring to. You also have a right to be embarrased. Toto was from Kansas. That was Dorthy's dog, and they lived with Aunty Em.
I'm just goofing Ryan. Toto was one of the last elephants Mac and Peggy MacDonald trained along with another male named Mac. I always liked Toto's look best, but Mac was a nice looking boy also. Gardner was a typical wonderful playful male, maybe a little more playful and mischievous then most. Gypsy who I have talked about in the past, did a wonderful job of schooling and maintaining order over he, Maclain, Tusko, Reed, Petely and Col. I learned more about male elephants in my time around Rex Williams then any where else in my life.
Wade
Ryan,
I know Rajas history. I was just agitating and ranging you up. LOL
I agree about Onyx. He was a beauty. I have said it many times, there is nothing in this world more beautiful, dignified, stately, distinguished, Kingly, then a well bred male Asian Elephant. I know why so many people get hurt by them. If we had kept Nic he would have probably killed me some day. He absolutely mesmerized me and had me in his hip pocket 10 minutes after I met him. So many times, I would do something with him, and the little voice in the back of my head would be telling me, "don't do it Wade, it's stupid and it's not worth it." But I couldn't help myself Ryan, I would look in his eye's, and they would say, "ignore that voice Wade, it doesn't know what it is talking about. Trust me." And I would listen to him. Letting him go was the second hardest emotional whack I have ever experienced with an animal. But I also know, deep in my heart Ryan, that someday he would have talked me into letting him kill me. I am an Animal Trainer, not a pet shop owner, animals come and go in my life and only a couple have ever pussy whipped me like Nic. You are ever around a special one Ryan, don't listen to them, listen to me.
"THEY WILL HYPNOTIZE YOU TO YOUR DEATH." It was just Nic and me. You make sure somebody is always there to say, "Ryan, you idiot, don't do it." I get emotional talking about beautiful male Asian elephants. I will never deal with another one as long as I live. I know it would be a death wish. If God had stopped at a male Silver backed Gorilla that would have been his greatest creation, but he tried one more time, and came up with the male Asian Elephant. That is his greatest creation.
Wade
Amen, Brother Burck!
Thanks Wade. A few items-
Was in Cincinnati in February and had a gracious hosting by the elephant staff so see the renovated barn and holding area. I will email you the pictures. Sabu is not much a pretty elephant, the Malaysian subspecies as has been previously discussed, but one still to be respected.
I enjoy your Hawthorn stories with the group. What pictures would you like to share of the holding facility? Yards, barn, picket line? At the Riddle's facility all but two of the baddest bulls were kept on a picket line until winter and it's a beautiful sight. In fact, I'll send you some pictures of those too.
One last item - it is good Nic is at a good facility, but a shame he is wasted now in regards to the gene pool and breeding. Tunga's only remaining offspring. Did you have any experience with him? Or anyone else willing to share stories about Tunga?
Ryan,
The most impressive picket line I have ever seen was the one I referenced that Rex Williams had on Circus Vargas, ably assisted by the aforementioned Gypsy the Hammer. LOL Gyp was the mother of Rex's Brat, who also "went south" eventually, and she loved, mammaed, and disciplined those young boisterous boy's. I never was around Tunga, and don't have many pictures of the picket line, as you don't take pictures of things at your job as a rule. Most pictures a Trainer has were graciously give to him by fan's who filmed while he was busy, and there are none of those at a winter quarters. What happened to Nic was not his fault, he had no choice in the matter.
Wade
Buckles herd also had a group of males; George,Hugo,Vance,Major,Charlie, and the african Bill. At circus World Rex left his herd there for a supposed few days, which turned into several weeks. This added a few more to the group. Tusko came from central FL zoo, named Sobik and also stopped thru CW on way to Rex.
I also have photo's of George,Toto,and Mac working as a three act at Baraboo.
Wade-
I have found references to Brat as being sired by both Rex and Gardner - who was it? And what became of him?
Ryan,
I am thinking Gardner, and he went south of the border.
Wade
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