Photograph by H. A. Atwell Studio, National Geographic Stock

March 2011

TRUNK ROCKER

"Such a swing would thrill the most blasé," claimed the caption for this photograph—which left the swinger unidentified—from "The Land of Sawdust and Spangles," the story on circuses published in the October 1931 National Geographic. Author Francis Beverly Kelley did not take such performances lightly. "There's no such thing as a tamed wild animal," he wrote. "You can train them, but you never can be certain that they are tamed. Trainers who have trusted their jungle charges too far have been left behind in a horizontal position while the long show trains thundered away to the next town."
— Margaret G. Zackowitz

Photograph from Paramount Pictures Inc., National Geographic Stock

Photo and caption originally published in May 1938

Jiggs, Simian Movie Star, Rehearses With "The Jungle Princess"

The setting, on a tropical island, is for a scene in the new Paramount picture, Jungle Love, starring Dorothy Lamour. Shortly after the film was completed, the performing chimpanzee died, and a female, Anna, now is being groomed for similar roles.

Photograph from International News, National Geographic Stock

Photo and caption originally published in August 1940

Baboo Wins a Fight for Life Against Double Pneumonia

When the animal was stricken last April he was taken to Victoria Hospital, Miami, Florida, by his owner, Edward Strassburg. Three-year-old Baboo received the same oxygen-tent treatment as humans. In two weeks he was pronounced cured.

Photograph from Mrs. E. Kenneth Hoyt, National Geographic Stock

Photo and caption originally published in August 1940

Toto Shows Affection for His Lifelong Mentor

Mrs. E. Kenneth Hoyt, of Habana, Cuba, acquired the gorilla in 1932 when he was three months old. Mr. Hoyt had just shot Toto's father in the French Congo. African villagers, without the knowledge of the Hoyts, then killed the mother. Mrs. Hoyt, unwilling to see the baby die, procured an African nurse for the gorilla and he thrived on human milk.

Photograph by Underwood and Underwood, National Geographic Stock

Photo and caption originally published in October 1931

Mr. Hippo Holds The Broad-Grin Record

Though his opened mouth looks formidable, he is one of the best-natured animals in the menagerie. He is no meat eater, but devours enormous quantities of aquatic plants and grass.

Photograph from Francis Beverly Kelley, National Geographic Stock

Photo and caption originally published in October 1931

The Mixed Animal Act Resembles a Jungle Nightmare

Natural enemies in the kingdom of beasts present a special problem to the trainer, who must keep them at peace with one another and himself, as well as present the act. Contrary to popular belief, neither hypnotic spells nor drugs are used to render the wild creatures tractable.

Photograph by H. A. Atwell Studio, National Geographic Stock

Photo and caption originally published in October 1931

After the Tiger Learns the Leap, the Trainer Adds Embellishments

Once in the air between two pedestals, the giant cat does not notice the man standing beneath him, but if his spring falls short trouble ensues. Some of these educated animals have been taught to jump 14 feet.

Photograph by Ernest B. Schoedsack, National Geographic Stock

Asian water buffalo, Siam (Thailand), 1927

Photograph by John P. McDermott, National Geographic Stock

Little boy and chimpanzees, circa 1942