Great feat of Animal training?

Do we assume this was a great feat of training because we have a photo from the 1900, and we don't know the end result or how long it was done? Do we revere the man who trained it as one of the greatest because we have never heard or seen it done much in 128 years. Or do we draw educated conclusions based on our knowledge of the species involved why it may have been a short, one time deal with enough "kinks" in the idea God Almighty couldn't make it happen on a long consistent basis?