For Jim Alexander

"Muke" the gorilla, a popular attraction at Salt Lake City's zoo since 1996, has been euthanized after a yearlong fight with cancer(2009).

Hogle Zoo officials say the quality of life for the 44-year-old gorilla had drastically diminished over the last week. She was euthanized Monday.

Surgeons a year ago removed cancerous tissue and excess body fluid from her reproductive organs but veterinarians said the cancer had spread to her lymphatic system and couldn't be stopped. Zoo officials had focused on keeping her as comfortable as possible.

Born in 1965, Muke was a Western Lowland gorilla. She had been paired with a male silverback gorilla, 33-year-old Tino. The two bonded but never mated.

'Apparently there have been two female gorilla's named "Muke" The gorilla above, who wouldn't put out for Tino would be close to the right age of your "Muke" being born in 1965 and you said Trefflich had her in 1966. The other "Muke", below is a well know rabble rousing guest columnist, as of 2009 living in Cincinnati.


In Defense of Atheists, By Muke the Gorilla at the Cincinatti Zoo.

New York Times Op Ed Feb 5, 2009.

You are probably wondering how a Gorilla could write an OP-Ed in the New York Times. Well there isn’t much to do here in the zoo after we finish off the pile of fruits and veggies they feed us, so I borrowed Steven Hawking’s old communication system, you know the one that writes from eye movements, and here we are.

My Photo Was Abused

Firstly, I want to update you on a misuse of my photo by Dr Jeffrey Dach who has written recent blog posts,Why Are Atheists Ignorant?" and An Atheist Talks to God. I never gave permission to Dr. Dach who used my photo in his posts, and I do not agree with his attempted satire which isn’t even funny. Here is a sampling of the comments posted under his post and you will get the idea:

I don't know if you're right or not, but your comedy sucks donkey balls. Seriously, this is objectively not funny.

Gosh, this is hateful.

Honestly, why the baiting? Do you imagine for one second that I, an athiest, couldn't produce a similar (although much funnier) rant on the absurdity of your beliefs?

But this post makes me feel that God must want atheists to be tortured. And that God is not tolerant. And that God is not kind and beneficent to all. It's surprising that you would promote Him in this way.

divisive, vitriolic, pathetically sarcastic attempt at humor.

In fairness, there were a few favorable comments:

This is the second time I freaked the dog out, laughing. Thanks!

As Gorillas, we have firsthand knowledge of hate and discrimination, We are forced to live in zoos and deprived of civil rights, so I can identify with atheists who suffer from discrimination, especially when bigots like Dr. Jeffrey Dach write things like , Why Are Atheists Ignorant"? or An Atheist Talks to God.

One Thing That Bothers All Gorillas

One things that really bothers me is that people come by my cage and stare at me. I realize that being a Gorilla, I look different, and so I can understand this. Still, it makes me uncomfortable. Once they get over the way I look, a lot of people become curious and ask questions.

Am I an Atheist or Religious Gorilla?

A common question is, am I an atheist or religious Gorilla? Well, I used to practice the Gorilla religion. However, in order for me to practice the Gorilla religion, I must live in the wild with my extended Gorilla family of Bakari, Jomo, M’Linzi, and Chewie. Here in the confines of the zoo, I cannot practice my religion. So in that regard I am not religious. However, I do not regard myself as an atheist either. I have read the interview with the most vocal and public atheist I know, Richard Dawkins in Salon, and I disagree with everything he says.

Number one, the Gorilla religion says that we Gorillas were created to live in the jungle and be happy. We do not agree with this ridiculous Dawkins idea that we Gorillas originated from a process called Natural Selection. That is nonsense, an idea whose sole purpose is to avoid any reference to God. Even us Gorillas know that God created us.

Number two, The Dawkins book, The God Delusion, is also completely wrong. God is not a delusion. We Gorillas know that God is everywhere. Many people come by my cage here at the zoo and ask me for an exact address for God, or a telephone number for God, so they can actually look at God or talk to God on the phone.

My answer is to ask them another question. I ask them to tell me where God IS NOT. God is in everything. Every rock, tree, creature, object, thought, person was created by God and is a manifestation of the creator. Even us Gorillas know all this.

Speaking of Larry Records, Who Is That Liz is Pushing Out of Her Way? :)

Elephant Center chooses builder, might start construction in 2 months in Fellsmere

FELLSMERE — National Elephant Center officials are expected next week to hammer out a budget and timeline for turning their dream of a 225-acre ranch for training and retiring zoo elephants into a reality this year in the city's agricultural northwest area, south of the C-54 Canal.

"We have made a decision on a construction company," center Chairman Rick Borangi said Wednesday. "They're in the ($2.5 million) ballpark. So there's no surprises."

He declined to identify the builder, whose proposal was selected from a handful of others, until the center's board can notify other finalists vying for the job. He said his organization still has to negotiate details, such as areas of possible cost-savings, before awarding the contract.

The National Elephant Center is a collaboration of 73 zoos accredited by the Association of Zoos and Aquariums. Borangi, director of the Houston Zoo, will be in Miami next week for a meeting with fellow AZA directors. He said those involved in the National Elephant Center also will meet as a subgroup to advance their own project and might be able to announce their builder.

Borangi said the first phase would include 4 or 5 acres of pasture, drinking-water ponds, a barn large enough to hold nine elephants at night, a keeper's work area, fencing strong enough to withstand a leaning elephant and upgrades to the site's electrical system.

Contrary to some public speculation, Borangi said he didn't envision fences having to deal with elephants charging.

"It's a big area, so there won't be pressure on the perimeter fence," he said.

In fact, he said, closer quarters inside the barn would be where stronger materials are needed.

He estimated the first phase might start construction in two months and be complete seven months later. After that, he said, the board would have an open house for Fellsmere area residents to come see the controversial facility and learn how professionally it would be run.

"This would be invitation-only for people who live in the area," he said. "They're the ones with a stake in this."

Members of regional animal-rights groups, who have been warning that center staff would control the elephants using "bullhooks", or guides, probably won't be invited, he said.

"Oh no, why would we want this open house to become like a circus?" he asked.

Because animal-rights activists typically oppose keeping elephants in captivity, Borangi said, they wouldn't approve of anything the National Elephant Center was planning.

However, Nick Atwood, campaign coordinator for the Animal Rights Foundation of Florida, said he was disappointed to be left out of an upcoming open house. He said the reality of animal-rights politics isn't so black-and-white.

"We may feel differently about captivity, but we're also realistic," he said. "Those elephants are not going back to Africa or Asia. So we just want to make sure they're being kept in the best way possible."

'This is indeed great news. Hey Jim Alexander, what is Rick "insinuating" when he said this, "Oh no, why would we want this open house to become like a circus?" Why do you zoo guy's always have to go there? I am going to start being like the President and First Lady and start screaming "racist" every time the word "Circus" is used to describe a messed up chaotic shit storm!!!!! :) That PC nonsense has to be for everybody, right?'

Colossus

Colossus in 1980 at Benson's Wild Animal Farm

Director Pat Quinn poses with Colossus 1988 at the Gulf Breeze Zoo. Colossus was captured in 1966 and this was the first time he was out of his "Alcatraz" pictured below.

Colossus Is Going To Finally Meet The Gorilla His Dreams .

Orlando Sentinel
Colossus, who is 6-feet-2 and weighs 570 pounds, arrived in Ohio last week as part of a cooperative breeding program among the nation's zoos.

Because Colossus was born in the wild, officials believe the introduction of his genes will help prevent inbreeding among captive gorillas.

Pat Quinn, director of The Zoo, said attempts to breed Colossus in Florida failed because the female was unable to conceive. Colossus and his prospective mate, Muke, also had trouble getting along.

While the two were in Gulf Breeze, Colossus, 28, tried to get friendly with Muke, 27, but zookeepers said Muke would have little to do with him.

Quinn said he wanted to bring Colossus to the Cincinnati Zoo because it has the best gorilla breeding record in the nation with 37 gorillas born in the past 25 years.

Colossus, Columbus Zoo 2006

April 11, 2006 05:16 PM

One of the oldest male gorillas at the Cincinnati Zoo died today.

Colossus, the 40 year male old lowland gorilla, died during emergency root canal surgery. While under anesthesia, Colossus went into cardiac arrest and could not be revived.

Born in the wild in 1966, Colossus was brought to the zoo in 1993 and spent his time at there caring for three female gorillas and acting as a father figure to many younger gorilla babies although he biologically fathered none.

The oldest male or "silverback" was brought to Cincinnati from The Zoo in Gulf Breeze, Florida.

"We are all very saddened by the death of Colossus," said Dr. Terri Roth, Vice President of Animal Sciences for the Cincinnati Zoo in a statement. "Colossus was one of the Zoo's most popular animals. We find some comfort in knowing that Colossus enjoyed 13 terrific years as an integral part of our gorilla family."

That family includes one other male, Jomo, and eight females five of which are with the new dominant male.

The Lowland Gorilla remains on the endangered species list and as few as 75,000 are left with 345 in captivity in North America. The primary threat to the gorillas are logging and agricultural expansion.

Colossus: 'Magnet for visitors' - NashuaTelegraph.com

Ghost Zoo--Benson's Wild Animal Farm

The building the cage sat inside of

His bed in the night den

His bed where he could rest if he needed relief from the glaring crowds while on exhibit.

Back area and night dens

Exhibit cage and doors leading to night den.

This is what is left of the "habitat" that the gorilla, Colossus lived in most of his life, as a single male gorilla in solitary confinement. He was one of the last wild caught gorillas alive, with extremely valuable DNA but never reproduced when it was attempted in Florida at the Gulf Breeze Zoo and later at the Columbus Zoo where he died in 2006 at the age of 40. I assume the fact that he spent 3/4 of his life living alone at Benson's had a lot to do with his reproductive inability. When I see something like this "habitat" for a gorilla, I am reminded of a Far Side cartoon that I had pinned on my bulletin board for years. It depicted two gorilla's sitting on the floor of a barred enclosure, holding the bars as both looked out. One gorilla said, "I don't know what I did, they never told me. How about you?" The other gorilla replied, "They never told me what I did either. I just know I never got a trial with a jury of my peers, so I must of been guilty of something."

Ghost Zoo--Benson's Wild Animal Farm

Joe Arcaris



1934

Ghost Zoo--Benson's Wild Animal Farm

Who was at Benson's before the long tenure of Joe Acaris using a Hagenbeck looking arena?

Ghost Zoo--Benson's Wild Animal Farm

Roland Tibor is the trainer in the picture below. Is the same person pictured in the photo above?

Benson's employed a number of well know trainers over the years. Does anyone, besides Jim Alexander, recall the name of a Bensons bear trainer who also worked with chimps and elephants who was killed by a bear in 1956 at a well known facility in Illinois that had contracted his services?

Also does anyone know anything about this trainer and what happened to the circus wagons mentioned:

Leslie Binks, was an animal trainer at Benson's in the 1930's -40's. He was brought to this country from England by John Benson, who had seen his act(white liberty horses) in England at the Bostock and Womball Menagerie Show. There were two old circus wagons on display at Benson's that came from the same Circus.

Ghost Zoo--Benson's Wild Animal Farm

Brochure year unknown. In the top left corner you see Queen with the gaped open mouth holding her trunk up, that I mention in a post below.

Window decal


Brochure 1971

Ghost Zoo--Benson's Wild Animal Farm

1987

1947


1950's
Reptile House in the background. What was the odd roofed building in the foreground?

Ghost Zoo--Benson's Wild Animal Farm

Tour car driving around the lake in 1930.

Liz, Queen, and Tonya in 1982 swimming in the below lake.

2010

Ghost Zoo--Benson's Wild Animal Farm

Elephant barn 2005 before restoration of Benson's was undertaken.


A few things need clarifying before next week’s(2010) grand opening of the new Benson Park.

First, there will be no miniature train to ride.

And while visitors of the refurbished park can see animals, such as birds and squirrels, in their natural habitat, they won’t cross paths with monkeys or sea lions.

That’s probably best, because encounters with wild animals would scuttle the town’s goal of making Benson Park a choice spot for walking, jogging, fishing and relaxation.

The 165-acre tract that once was home to Benson’s Wild Animal Farm – a home to elephants, chimps and, yes, sea lions – has had a rebirth in the last year.

Volunteers have cleared brush and debris and opened several walking trails for bikers, walkers and runners. They added picnic benches and have allowed for fishing at a pond.

The reclaimed area aims to provide a pleasant respite for those seeking to escape the asphalt jungle of city life.

But contrary to some speculation, according to one selectman, the town won’t bring back the wildlife and amusement rides that made the park a popular destination for more than 60 years.

“Some people are confused. They think we’re reopening the old animal farm,” Selectman Shawn Jasper said of some postings on a website that tells the history of Benson’s.

Jasper and the town would like to clarify one more possible misconception: This will be the last grand opening.

A week from today, Saturday, Sept. 25, Gov. John Lynch, town officials and the many volunteers who have made the long-held dream a reality will officially open Benson Park.

This will be the fourth opening, of sorts.

Last year, the town held two “soft” openings, allowing area residents to walk a limited number of reclaimed trails.

The town held another official grand opening on Memorial Day weekend to open the gates to summer use. Next Saturday’s ceremony will be the last official opening, Jasper said.

Work on the park will continue long into the future, though. That includes refurbishing many of the structures that once housed the animals.

But Benson Park has undergone quite a face lift since last fall.

“The amount of volunteer labor we’ve had is incredible,” Jasper said. “People are in there every day working on the trails and the fencing. It’s come along really nice.”

It’s also quite a transformation from when it was Benson’s Wild Animal Farm. The park had animal shows, a miniature train and even a Ferris wheel and roller coaster. But financial woes and diminishing attendance spelled the end of Benson’s in 1987.

The state Department of Transportation then bought the land for $4 million for wetland mitigation in connection with the never-built Circumferential Highway. But the property sat idle for the better part of 15 years.

Hudson’s efforts to buy the land began in the late 1990s, when the town started putting money aside and talking about plans for the giant parcel.

In 2002, the state offered the property to the town for the bargain price of $188,000, but the sale didn’t happen immediately. DOT discovered asbestos on the site and refused to sell the land until it resolved a dispute over who was responsible for the contamination and its cleanup.

Then, finally, in January 2009, the town signed the deed, and cleanup of brush and garbage began.

Selectmen will oversee maintenance and management of the new park, and have appointed a Benson Park Committee composed of eight volunteers and a selectman.

The committee will continue to plan future improvements of the park and will have subcommittees under its purview.

“If you were in there last year when it was all overgrown, it’s impressive to see,” Jasper said. “If you weren’t in there when it was all over overgrown, it’s still impressive to see.”

The grand opening ceremony will be held at 11 a.m., with a rain date at the same time on the following day.

The main entrance for parking and a separate section for handicapped parking are both on Kimball Hill Road.

Elephant barn 2010 What year did Benson's add what I believe was a tiger cage onto the left side of the old elephant barn and the smaller cage on the right?

Elephant barn 2010, ticket booth on the left. It looks like the cage that was added on the right side of the building has been removed

Elephant barn 2010 Volunteers have started a "restoration" of Benson's and it is now a family park minus the animals. Nostalgia is a funny thing, and I have it just as bad as anybody else. When Benson's closed folks started recalling the family trips there when they were young, and the effort was undertaken to "clean it up" again. Funny thing is, if you were to "rebuild" an exact "The Strangest Farm on Earth" Benson's today exacting the cages and filling them with animals the law would shut you down before you could even open. Nostalgia only let's you recall the good things, as you recalled them from your childhood. An ex Benson's employee for a number of years, was quoted in an interview last year as saying, "the place looks better today then when it was open and operating."


Elephant barn 1935. Note the bird cages hanging on the wall, and the sign on the right advising that all animals and birds are for sale.

Ghost Zoo--Benson's Wild Animal Farm

This photo, date unknown is of Pinky Madison with Queen, Liz, and Ruth. I wonder if the 3 pictures below, dated 1935 are also of Queen, Liz, and Ruth. Queen and Liz's age was always in debate, and the year of their import has been placed from 1933 to 1935 I can't tell if that is Pinky Madison in the picture training them, or how long Pinky was employed at Benson's. Was Pinky the brother of Slivers Madison or how were they related.

The smallish ears on the elephant mounted on our left sure look like Queens "pixie" ears, as well as the odd shoulder structure. The humped back, and again deformed looking should on the elephant mounted on the right sure looks like Liz, as well as the weak back legs. Two of the sweetest elephants you would ever want to know, but when they came to Hawthorn, two of the most physically "corrupt" structured elephants you would ever find. Liz had a completely paralyzed trunk, and Queen had a half paralyzed trunk and could only "trunk up" by throwing her trunk in the air, and then standing with her mouth gaped open to hold it there. A lot of "Friends of Bensons Wild Animal Farm" have written some misinformed information on the internet about Hawthorn and the damage that Hawthorn did to these Benson's elephants before they moved to Tennessee. I am not defending Hawthorn by any means, just setting the record straight. Those wonderful girls, Queen and Liz were in tough shape physically when they arrived at Hawthorn, and pictures of them over the years suggests they were not good physical specimens from the day they were born.

Ghost Zoo--Benson's Wild Animal Farm

RJR mentioned 3 Masai giraffe coming in on the same shipment of animals that "Honey" arrived with. These sure look like Masai giraffe to me and the photo is dated 1930's. At first glance it looks like they are in shipping crates with a bushel basket as a "temporary" hay box, but in the photo below it looks like the one on the right is built into the wall of the building, so they may be feed stalls. It wouldn't have been beyond Benson's to use a "temporary" bushel basket for years and years, so it is hard to tell if they are shipping crates or permanent feed stalls. Any other thoughts?

Unknown From Yesterday Update

Is that John Benson, on the right behind the elephant with the skimmer hat on? Any other folks identifiable in this photo from the 1930's. Note the warning sign on the presentation ring telling folks not to talk to the trainers.


Richard Reynolds said...

The 1934 diary of Boston Zoo Director Dan Harkins had this under his entry for Wednesday, May 23, 1934 - -

“Christoph Schulz, Arusha, Tanganyika, Africa arrived at pier 47, Mystsic docks, via SS Wido . . . Mr Schulz brought the smallest African elephant ever to arrive in this country. Included in the cargo also were 3 Masai giraffes, 2 Grant zebras, 1 oryx antelope, 3 white bearded gnus . . .”

The entry for the next day said that Harkins had breakfast with Schulz aboard the SS Wido, after which the animals were unloaded to be transported to Benson’s in Nashua, NH for quarantine.

On June 2, 1934 Harkins wrote that he drove to Benson’s animal farm and again visited with C. Schulz and son Walter. He noted that on hand were 2 African elephants, 1 large African rhino, plus the Masai giraffes and Grants zebras and oryx, presumably the ones off the ship.

The small elephant must be the one that went to Brookfield zoo and was reported in Parks and Recreation for July 1935 as “smallest baby African elephant in America . . . an African female named Honey that has been in the zoo since June 1934.”

In the photo the man on the left might be C. Schulz - - perhaps the one on the right is Harkins. These are just guesses, however.

Could this be the elephant "Honey" that RJR mentioned yesterday in these photo's taken at Benson's in the 1930's, the "smallest baby African Elephant in the United States" that later went to Brookfield in 1934? The dark glass bottle looks the same. The Asian I think was named Betsy and was the Benson ride elephant for many years. Does anyone know who the two gentlemen are in these pictures and the first picture? Carl Neuffer was Betsy's trainer in the 30's-40's. Could that be he in the pith helmet?