No, John Milton Herriott. Thank you!!!!

john milton herriott said... Wade, How can you say that Tommys best days were as King Tusk. We know that he was separated from his herd of females that he had been with for years and was certainly lonesome being kept by himself during that time and he, I understand was given some Hormone shots. Also in a determined effort to get rid of Lee Keener and for Gunther to take over with his Hutley, etc. and we know that he downed Gunther and that was the end of that. Finally in Japan he threw his wing ding having been handled by various incompetent people and in turn was turned over to Cuneos men, Roy, Gary and Walker, who chained him up back with the herd where he was again comfortable. From there Jimmy Siklverlake got along fine with him, but after Jimmy, stiffness came and he was uncomfortable and again alone. I saw him at the parade grounds in Milwaukee and it was sad having known him over the years. Yes, I worked dates with him, Jimmy O'Dell, Frank Dailey [yes the same Garden Bros. prop boss], and of course Lee Keener and would say that he was the love of the Diano family, especiallt Tony's handicapped son. And was well taken care of. Ringling gave him a new name and recognition but I believe he missed being Old Tommy in every way. One time Jimmy stopped to spend a day and night with me in Gettysburg and they got along fine. I also saw them at a Tampa Bay Bucs game and was so proud when they came running out on the field. Too wonderful "old show bums" . Doesn't get any better than that. No Wade, Ringling were not Tommys best days as an elephant. His best days were prior to that. We all knew thru the years what a great male elephant he was and all the Diano peiole were quite aware of that. I remember it well. I believe Tommy's greatest moment was in the Great Schlitz Circus Parade in mILWAUKEE with beautiful Houdi, elaborate blanket and leading the elephant herd down the streets of Milwaukee With [Dory] Mrs. Robert Uihlien the wife of the president of Schlitz riding proudly in the Houdi chair and lead by Jimmy O'Dell. I was the coordinater of that effort and it was awesome. Thats before King Tusk. Thanks, Johnny. October 2, 2009 8:36 AM

"We know that he was separated from his herd of females that he had been with for years and was certainly lonesome being kept by himself during that time"

So was Ned, John Milton.

"downed Gunther"

It looked like King Tusk spooked from the Zebra coming behind him, in the narrow passage way at Kansas City, and spun and hit GGW with his ivory, given the narrow area. It didn't look like a "down" to me, John Milton. "Downed" is what Billie(whom my 3 year old son worked with) did, not once, but twice, in Wisconsin at the "elephant roundup". She was then placed in a hands off holding facility for over 10 years before she was confiscated and removed. That, John Milton, is "downed and out."

"in turn was turned over to Cuneos men"

Check dates when the Hawthorn elephant problems started, John Milton. What year was King Tusk "turned over to Cuneo's men" "Cuneo" had two violations from 1978 to June 21, 1988(10 years) then the below occurred, and we are familiar with who it was, so the name doesn't have to be mentioned. You already did. From 1988 to 2002(12 years) "Cuneo" had over a hundred violations, culminating in the confiscation of Delhi, who had her feet burnt by someone who used a wrong mixture of formaldahyde, leading to the first ever confiscation of an elephant.

June 21, 1988: According to USDA and Canadian law enforcement documents, while a Hawthorn elephant named Tyke was performing with Tarzan Zerbini Circus, "The elephant handler was observed beating the single-tusk African elephant in public to the point [where] the elephant was screaming and bending down on three legs to avoid being hit. Even when the handler walked by the elephant after this, the elephant screamed and veered away, demonstrating fear from his presence."

Elephants at Hawthorn Corporation in United States

A few words about the confiscation of Delhi

"And was well taken care of. Ringling gave him a new name and recognition but I believe he missed being Old Tommy in every way. "

"We all knew thru the years what a great male elephant he was and all the Diano peiole were quite aware of that."

"Jimmy Siklverlake got along fine with him, but after Jimmy, stiffness came and he was uncomfortable and again alone"

John Milton, in the photo above what besides an elephant hook is in the trainers hand? That was every day of Tommy's life, before he became King Tusk. Realizing of course, that "he was a great male elephant, and all were quite aware of that" what is that second object for? I wonder if King Tusk prefered that or hormone shots? I was aware of stiffness in 1977, John Milton. It didn't just "came".

"A good example of the number of elephants from across the water with "paralized beaks". Seems like more than we had in this country. Wonder why?"

You seem to "note" a lot of "stiffness/paralized". You "note" but don't offer any idea's on why? Any thoughts since April 4, 2008?

"I and my friend Buckles plus other animal elephant trainers do not like or refer to the term "bulls", "rubber cows", etc. It is demeaning to the animal"
August 16, 2009

"From the rig down to the harness trappings and racks for the bulls and hoof stock it was spotless."
Jimmy Hall 18 August, 2009 11:27

Speaking of respect, where the hell is an elephants "beak?" Usually only "bulls and rubber cow's" have those. I thought bird's had beaks, and they are always "stiff". What do think, about "racks for the bulls?" Demeaning or not? Let us know, because Chic wonders what Jimmy would consider King Tusks name.