As some of ZooChat may know I am a HUGE fan of Siam (1946-1997), the massive, legendary Asian tusker that used to live in the Paris Zoo and since 2001 can be found in the Musee National D'Histoire Naturelle in the Jardin Des Plantes, a 15-minute walk from Notre Dame. He was an incredible animal and I never had the chance to see him alive. I first became aware of him in the DK Eyewitness book Elephant in 2002 where he makes several appearances. He was not only a giant spledid tusker 10.5 ft tall and 7 tons, but also was perhaps the most famous elephant in Europe since Jumbo having come over from Asia and worked in Circus Knie, starring in Pierre Etaix's 1965 film Yoyo and then spending his retirement in the Paris (Vincennes) Zoo until his death in September 1997.
Photo by @Middle Man
Siam's Installation 2001 by Sarus Crane posted 14 Jul 2018 at 11:05 PM
However, over his time at Vincennes Zoo he had over 10 offspring, 2 of which survive to this day a cow named Nina at Le Pal Zoo and Thisiam at Knies Kinderzoo. Siam's most enduring legacy is that of his son Thisiam born in 1998. He is very much his father's son and has the tall cranium and potential to become a large tusker. At his current age, 23 he already is the size of his father when he passed at 7 tons and 3.2 meters (10.5 ft). His tusks are a little shorter than his dad's at that age but he is still very much a spectacular specimen. It's also cool that he's at the zoo based on his father's alma-mater, Circus Knie. I can guarantee in time that he will grow to be a Siam 2.0! It's only unfortunate that other siblings of his such as Sammy and Fridolin never made it to their prime. They would've both looked spectacular!
Will he grow larger than his legendary father? Will he stay at Knie Kinderzoo or will he eventually move onto another facility? Perhaps Paris can build a brand new Asian Elephant exhibit and he can truly follow in Siam's famous footsteps!
Photo by @Middle Man
However, over his time at Vincennes Zoo he had over 10 offspring, 2 of which survive to this day a cow named Nina at Le Pal Zoo and Thisiam at Knies Kinderzoo. Siam's most enduring legacy is that of his son Thisiam born in 1998. He is very much his father's son and has the tall cranium and potential to become a large tusker. At his current age, 23 he already is the size of his father when he passed at 7 tons and 3.2 meters (10.5 ft). His tusks are a little shorter than his dad's at that age but he is still very much a spectacular specimen. It's also cool that he's at the zoo based on his father's alma-mater, Circus Knie. I can guarantee in time that he will grow to be a Siam 2.0! It's only unfortunate that other siblings of his such as Sammy and Fridolin never made it to their prime. They would've both looked spectacular!
Will he grow larger than his legendary father? Will he stay at Knie Kinderzoo or will he eventually move onto another facility? Perhaps Paris can build a brand new Asian Elephant exhibit and he can truly follow in Siam's famous footsteps!
