Alexander Gautier , circus elephant trainer in United States Born 1942-01-11 in Germany dead 1993-05-05 in United States , son of animal trainer Lulu Gautier and animal trainer Edith Gautier . Born in 1942 in Breslau, Germany, which is now a part of Poland, Mr. Gautier was descended from six generations of circus performers. His ancestors founded the Didier Gautier circus in France. Lulus son Axel (-1993), went as assistant to Hugo Schmitt to Ringling Brothers and Barnum and Baileys Circus in 1947, when they bought the elephants from Hagenbecks Circus. Axel Gautier remained with the Ringling show to replace Hugo Schmitt in 1970, and was in charge of the Blue Unit's elephant Herd through 1989. Axel Gautier, Rex Williams and John Ruche at DeLand. One day at Circus World Axel dropped by saying that he and Donna had just returned from a brief European vacation. His cousin Trolle Rhodin even had business cards made up and directed him where to go and whom to see, especially Circus Krone since they were distantly related. In Munich he found that the show was in rehearsal but was directed to Mr. Sembach's secretary who led him to the great man's office and was instructed to wait outside, he watched as she presented his card and then return immediately saying "Herr Sembach is busy today" and handed him a program. Axel Gautier on RBBBs 116th edition. In 1993 Axel Gautier was killed by Reeba at Ringling Brothers and Barnum and Bailey Circus elephant retirement facility in Williston, Florida, he was taken by helicopter to the hospital, and he died in Shands Hospital at the University of Florida in Gainesville. He was 51.
May 5, 1993: Axel Gautier, one of the best-known elephant trainers in the world, was crushed to death when an elephant stepped on him at the Ringling Bros., Barnum & Bailey elephant farm in Gainesville, Florida. Gautier was standing with three elephants in a corral when a 24-year-old female Asian elephant suddenly knocked him down and stepped on him. The circus veterinarian was standing nearby.
Axel Gautier Born: 1942-01-11
Father:LouisBorn: 1887-08-29
Mother:EdithBorn: 1910-11-18