The Circus "NO SPIN ZONE": 01/27/12

Another photo of the Franklin Park Zoo Hippo from the 1930's. I found the recently taken photos below along with another explanation of white feet in hippos.

The World We Share
Wildlife News
May 10,2011

HIPPO WITH PINK BOOTS

The two-year-old hippo has become a bit of a celebrity after she was spotted grazing on grass by a riverbank.

It is thought the hippo has leucism – a skin condition that means her body is brown but all four of her feet and lower legs are pink.

This usually results in blotching or complete discolouration but it is rare for it to affect just the feet and legs.

Photographer Peter Gordon snapped the unusual sight in the Selous Game Reserve, Tanzania, as he went for an afternoon drive along the Great Ruaha River.

The 55-year-old said:

“The hippo was grazing on the shore among about six other Hippos in the late afternoon.

“Hippos do not normally graze during the day. It is more usual for them to graze at night and to rush back into the water if disturbed in any way.

“We saw them in the distance and, when they did not react, moved forward slowly.

“We were fortunate to be able to spend some time with them before they went back into the river.”
Peter, who lives on the reserve, added:
“I have observed hippos having different levels of leucistic spots at different places in Africa.

“These spots can occur randomly on the hippo’s body but it is extremely unusual to have all four feet the same.

“This daytime sighting gave me a good opportunity to record this phenomenon, as hippos spend almost the whole day in the river.

“We were about 70 metres from the animals and not posing a threat to them.”

Vienna Zoo 2008

Whipsnade Zoo 2010

Ghost Building--Franklin Park Zoo Elephant House

Interior of the elephant house

Remember Jamaica Plain?: Ghosts At Franklin Park Zoo

The Circus "NO SPIN ZONE": Franklin Park Zoo's Original Elephant house--Exterior.

For the day, the Franklin Park Zoo elephant house looked like it was nice and large with a well lite interior. Such beautiful zoo architecture compared to what is built today.

Franklin Park Zoo Elephants--Molly, Waddy, Tony

The Circus "NO SPIN ZONE": Franklin Park Zoo Elephants--1923

These pictures from 1930 appear to be Waddy and Molly swimming, again no Tony. Elephant keepers were sure dapper dressers back in the day. No ugly khaki shorts and T shirts for these professionals. I am pleased to note the use of a 'Lockhart hook', one of the most useful tools for managing elephants, particularly a large herd.

Franklin Park Zoo Elephants--Molly, Waddy, Tony

On a different note, as it is curious to me, 'why did there seem to be a number of "white footed" hippos years ago in captivity, and almost none today? Also, any thoughts on what caused or why the feet were often white or spotted. In conversations in the past on the blog with captive animal historian Richard Reynolds, no conclusion was ever reached.'

Tony the elephant getting swept off by Dan Harkins 1932. Does this look like the elephant labeled "Tony" in the pictures in the below thread? I wonder if Tony had some "issue's?" Note the heavy, heavy duty chain. In the first 3 pictures, it look's like only Tony and Waddy outside with the hippo. I wonder if the issues were with Molly as well?

Molly, Waddy, and Tony at Franklin Park Zoo, "Training for Children's Day." Year unknown.