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The Nubian Caravan in Germany


The Nubian Caravan
Typemenagerie
Owner 1877-1879: Carl Hagenbeck Jr.
Founded1877
First elephant arrived1877
Last elephant left1879
Closed down1879
Country Germany
Directors
Key People
Veterinarians
Elephant department
Head keepers
of elephants
Elephant keepers
Record history
History of updates2024-02-05
Latest document update2024-02-05 13:55:03
Description

The Nubian Caravan, Germany , was founded in 1877 and the first elephant arrived in 1877. The last elephant left in 1879. The Nubian Caravan closed down in 1879.


Comments / pictures

When I exhibited my large Nubian caravan in the Berlin Zoo in the 1970s, there were also five freshly imported African elephants five to five and a half Feet high. Professor Virchow, who visited me one day, said it would be great if these animals could be trained like Indian elephants. At that time people still held the erroneous belief that African elephants were neither suitable for work nor for training. To Virchow\'s astonishment, I replied that I would show him the five elephants, with whom no attempt at training had ever been made, on the afternoon of the next day. The elephants were then supposed to let Nubians ride on their backs and carry loads on command. The professor shook his head in disbelief, but promised to be there at five o'clock the next afternoon with some friends. There was no time to lose, I wanted to keep my word at all costs. Virchow had hardly turned his back when the training began. The elephants were paraded and some of the most skilled natives were promised a reward if they could manage not only to mount the elephants but also to stay on top. Here we go. At first the elephants did not put up with the equestrian feats. They found it unpleasant having a burden on their backs; they hooted and trumpeted and shook themselves so that all the riders, except one, flew into the sand. After the animals had calmed down a little and had been treated to bread and roots, the riders went back to their work, and lo and behold, by evening three elephants had understood the matter so far that they could be ridden quite comfortably, without shaking off their attendants. The others caught on to the good example and, the next morning, after another hour of practice, the other elephants also gave in. Now I had won the game. Since the animals no longer resisted carrying a load on their backs, I had some sacks filled with luggage and these, connected by large straps, hung over the backs of the animals. They initially found the sacks on the very unpleasant, but here, too, they quickly got used to them. By coaxing, cajoling, and constant feeding, I achieved my purpose by noon. The elephants carried loads and let themselves be ridden.
Professor Virchow was there at five o'clock in the afternoon with a few gentlemen from the Geographical Society and was not a little surprised to see the wild African elephants transformed into mounts and beasts of burden after just a few hours' training.

Beasts and Men, by Carl Hagenbeck

1877: The Nubian Caravan, which also included 5 freshly imported African elephants, was also touring to Paris and London.

The Nubian Caravan in Germany GermanyNubian Caravan at at Alexandra Palace in London.

After playing at Alexandra Palace in London, the animals were sold on auction.

1879: The Nubian Caravan in Germany Germany
News clip from The Era 1879-11-16; Era 1877, The Nubians at the Alexandra Palace, 16 September: 4; Lloyd’s Weekly
Newspaper (London) 1877, Alexandra Palace, 16 September: 5.


References for records about The Nubian Caravan

Recommended Citation

Koehl, Dan (2025). The Nubian Caravan, Elephant Encyclopedia. Available online at https://www.elephant.se/location2.php?location_id=3867. (archived at the Wayback machine)

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