Jumbo

Come and take your picture with a life-sized statue of the most famous elephant in the world! Jumbo “The King of Elephants” was tragically killed when he was struck by a Grand Trunk Locomotive in St. Thomas Ontario, on September 15th, 1885. In 1985 on the 100th anniversary of Jumbo’s death, the city of St. Thomas dedicated a 38 ton statue as a tribute to the most famous elephant who ever lived.

Jumbo was born in 1861 in the French Sudan, and was transferred to the London Zoological gardens in 1865. Jumbo is said to be the largest elephant ever held in captivity, and one of the only African elephants ever to be brought to America. During his time at the London Zoo, Jumbo became very popular. He gave rides to children who visited the zoo. P.T. Barnum the great American showman, witnessed Jumbo’s popularity on a trip to Europe and realized the tremendous potential for profit. Barnum immediately arranged to purchase Jumbo for $10,000. The British public was outraged and protested Jumbo’s departure. Over 100,000 school children wrote to Queen Victoria begging her not to let Jumbo be sold.

Jumbo arrived in America to bands playing and much fanfare on April 9th, 1882. He immediately won the hearts of the American public, young and old. For the next three years he travelled across the United States and Canada. In each town or city he was received with warm and excited welcomes. He earned thousands of dollars for Barnum and his circus. On the night of September 15th, 1885 Jumbo performed to a large audience in St. Thomas, Ontario Canada. He was returning to the waiting circus cars, when he was struck by the train and killed.