Scoop has an Ethical Paywall
Licence needed for work use Learn More

Local Govt | National News Video | Parliament Headlines | Politics Headlines | Search

 

Weber Brothers announces retirement of elephant

For immediate release: 22 November 2009

SPCA Launches Jumbo Fund

Weber Brothers announces retirement of Jumbo the elephant


The management of Weber Brothers today announced the retirement of crowd favourite, Jumbo the elephant after an illustrious 28-year career in the circus business.

Weber Brothers owner Harry Weber said a group of experts had met in Auckland this week to discuss the future of the 36-year-old African elephant and made the difficult decision to put her into retirement.

Jumbo’s most recent role has been touring with the Loritz Circus, a subsidiary of Weber Brothers, for the past 12 months.

“We have met with the team at the SPCA and will be gifting Jumbo to the organisation to manage her transition into retirement,” Mr Weber said.

“Jumbo is a real crowd favourite and it’s always been our intention to ensure she has the opportunity to enjoy the second half of her life at a less hectic pace and out of the public eye,” he added.

“Being on the road with the circus can be tiring for animals and their health and well-being is always our main priority. The care and transport of an animal of this size is also a big undertaking for any organisation.”

SPCA National Chief Executive Robyn Kippenberger said the SPCA had been working with Weber Brothers and elephant experts from Australia and New Zealand to ensure the right decisions were made regarding Jumbo’s future.

“Final plans for her future have not yet been confirmed but Jumbo is still very bright-eyed and the experts believe she will be able to manage the change in her environment easily.”

Advertisement - scroll to continue reading

Weber Brothers has been on a break over winter and Jumbo has already been put into a temporary care facility to start her transition process into retirement.

Due to the on-going costs to care for an elephant, the SPCA has set up a special fund for the public to donate to her care.

Donations can be made to the “Jumbo Fund” at any SPCA office throughout New Zealand or via the SPCA website at www.rnzspca.org.nz

For more information about Jumbo visit www.jumbo.net.nz

ENDS

© Scoop Media

Advertisement - scroll to continue reading
 
 
 
Parliament Headlines | Politics Headlines | Regional Headlines

 
 
 
 
 
 
 

LATEST HEADLINES

  • PARLIAMENT
  • POLITICS
  • REGIONAL
 
 

Featured News Channels


 
 
 
 

Join Our Free Newsletter

Subscribe to Scoop’s 'The Catch Up' our free weekly newsletter sent to your inbox every Monday with stories from across our network.