This video was taken in 1994, 14 years ago. Tsavo appears to be a fully mature adult. How old would you estimate him to be. I can't seen to find anybody who knows for sure.
Sunday, November 9, 2008
For RJR--Footage of Circus Barum's Tsavo by Prof. Dr. Zeeb
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Wade G. Burck
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4 comments:
According to my information, Tsavo was obtained by Gerd Siemoneit in 1978 from Burgers Zoo, Netherlands.
There is a good summary of European circus rhinos by Christian Hamel in a publication called “Planet Circus” April 2006 or more correctly, “Le Cirque dans l’Univers,” no. 221, 2nd trimester, 2006.
This is splendid video and shows the exotic animal wonders that were once to be seen on Circus Barum, sort of a latter day European version of Al G. Barnes except with some animals (giraffes and rhino) that Barnes never dreamed of showing in the ring.
The steadier and more tractable nature of the white rhino makes them ideal for the circus ring. They are much less skittish than blacks though Roman Schmitt certainly had a very gentle black rhino female which he presented in the ring. He booked it with Shrine Circuses and told me that the producers never were willing to pay the price it should have commanded. They never understood what a difficult act it was to produce and how remarkable it was.
Now it would really be something to see an Indian rhino with a routine like that of Tsavo’s. Some of them can be very gentle but others are tough as nails. Dan Rice had Old Put, an Indian that he used in the ring and John O’Brien had another with his many and variously titles shows. But all of that was over 130 years ago.
I wonder if Prof. Klaus Zeeb has video or film of Siemoneit’s act with the Persian leopards?
Richard,
I sure hope they get Tsavos situation worked out, and let him go to Krone. What a great place that would be for him.
I think you misunderstood Roman. Shrine Circus produces have always been willing to pay vast amounts of money to get an unique act. LOL When we had the 17 tigers and the only 5 White in the world working, a Shrine Producer scoffed at the asking price and said, "I can get so and so for a couple of grand less." I reminded him that so and so only had 8 tigers and no white ones. He said it didn't matter the committee wouldn't no any different!!!! This was in I believe 78 or 79. Kind of makes you wonder why there is no Circus left in America?
Wade
Wild! Is that both Bactrian and Dromedary camels in the act?
Mary Ann
Mary Ann,
Bactrian and Dromedary camels are not that uncommon together. Bactrian camels never caught on here in the states, but they are quit common in European Circus. I think it had a lot to do with the Drom's were cheaper and available. I don't particularly care for the species mixed. Like a liberty act, I prefer all the same breed/color. Just my personal preference.
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