King Tusk, Ringling Elephant, dies at age 57.

King Tusk, once billed as the Largest Living Land Mammal for Ringling Brothers Circus, passed away a few days ago. King Tusk, also known as Tommy, was a real trooper, and performed admirably for most of his life with the circus. He entertained millions, and he will be missed.


Rhode Island has a dead elephant in its history too. On May 24, 1826, a 12 year old Elephant (Little Bett-- only the second elephant to walk the American continent !) and her trainer were crossing the only bridge out of the village of Chepachet after a show, when shots rang out from a nearby grist mill. Little Bett was killed nearly instantly. The next day, her carcass was skinned and the hide sent off to the Boston Museum. Seven men were found guilty of the shooting, and two of them were kicked out of the Masons for their deed. May 25,1976, was declared Elephant Day, and a plaque on the bridge was placed to mark the spot where Little Bett met her maker. To this day, Chepachet continues to celebrate Elephant Day every May 25.

Read more about Little Bett

Even more about Little Bett
(From the Chepachet historian who helped start Elephant Day!)

Read More about King Tusk