Queenie (waterskiing elephant) facts for kids
Queenie was a famous female Asian elephant born in 1952. She became well-known in the late 1950s and early 1960s for a very unusual talent: she could waterski! Queenie lived until May 31, 2011.
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Queenie's Early Life
Queenie was born in the wild in 1952 in Thailand. When she was just a baby, she was brought to the United States. She was put up for sale at the Trefflich pet store in New York City.
In 1953, when Queenie was only six months old, she was sold to Bill Green and his daughter, Elisabeth (Liz) Green. This special purchase was even filmed by The Today Show! The baby elephant, who weighed about 250 pounds, then moved to a private zoo in Fairlee, Vermont.
Queenie's Amazing Career
Queenie and Liz Dane (Elisabeth Green's married name) became a popular act. They performed at many state and county fairs, appeared on TV shows, and even joined circuses across the country. During their shows, Queenie would waterski, play the harmonica, and dance!
Marj and Jim Rusing, who owned a place called De Leon Springs in Florida, taught Queenie how to waterski in the 1950s. Queenie took over from the first waterskiing elephant, Sunshine Sally. She was then known as "The World's Only Water Skiing Elephant."
Liz Dane said that Queenie truly loved waterskiing. She explained, "She would put her trunk in the water and get a big scoop of water and spray it all over the place! She loved it." Liz also mentioned that elephants can swim, and the water where Queenie skied was not very deep, so there was no danger if she fell.
In 1965, Queenie was featured in advertisements for the Mercury outboard motors company. She also appeared on famous TV shows like The Tonight Show and I've Got a Secret.
Later, in 1967, Queenie was sold to a team of elephant performers in Michigan. In 1981, she was sold again, this time to Circus Gatti.
Queenie's Later Years
Queenie retired from Circus Gatti in 2003. She then moved to the Wild Adventures theme park in Valdosta, Georgia.
In 2011, Queenie had to be euthanized (which means she was given a peaceful end to her life) because she had many ongoing health problems. She was believed to be one of the oldest Asian elephants living in North America at the time.
