Circus Girl Trainer with Elephant
c 1950. Gelatin silver print mounted on board, 9 1/2 x 7 1/2 in. (241 x 190 mm) from the Roland Butler Collection, Press Agent, Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey Circus (1930s-1960s) Roland Butler Collection hand stamp on verso.
In his book Trunk Call, Gösta Kruse explains the progress of baby elephant training and first of all the ABCs of simple commands: "move forward, stop, come to me, lift a leg, lie down". Only then should the animal be introduced gradually to the external environment, and finally, with composure, calm and attention, be given more difficult exercises specific to each particular animal." ... Dressage begins at about three years of age when the baby elephant is weaned. Daily care is very important and promotes successful dressage. An elephant weighing 3 to 5 tons requires more than 40 kg of hay and fresh grass, 8 to 10 kg of carrots, vegetables, apples, bananas and other fruits, granules and vitamins in any given day. The water absorbed must be of perfect quality. The daily treatments include pedicures, showers and brushing. The feet will be healthy and free from any parasitic attack or injury, permanently imposing clean floors. This contact with the groomer and the tamer contributes to the safety and well-being of the animal, and therefore to its confidence. The frequently criticised hook must not hurt: It is only a simple training tool in the hands of a caring person who uses it to guide him. The trainer's voice determines the animal's learning and socialisation. German, French, English, and Hindi for Asian elephants are used according to the commands.
Elephants by Jeanne-Yvonne and Gérard Borg [https://cirque-cnac.bnf.fr/en/animal-training/wild-animals/elephants].
Condition: Very good +.
Item number: 232
Price: $500.00
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