Old Hannibal
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 Drawing of Hannibal circa 1840s. | |
| Species | Asiatic |
|---|---|
| Sex | Male |
| Born | c. 1800 |
| Died | May 7, 1865 Bedford County, Pennsylvania |
| Occupation | Circus |
| Employer | Isaac A. Van Amburgh |
| Years active | c. 1824 - 1865 |
| Weight | 15,000 lb |
| Height | 8 ft 11 in (272 cm) |
Old Hannibal (c. 1800 – May 7, 1865) was a famous 19th century Asiatic elephant that was part of Isaac A. Van Amburgh's traveling menagerie.
Hannibal was brought to the United States as early as 1824 according to early sources,[1] but at least by 1831. He was first called "Timour the Tartar" and renamed by Raymond, Weeks & Co. in 1833 as "War Elephant Hannibal".[2]
He was known for having "fits of fury",[3] and reportedly killed several people.[1][4] Around 1839, he engaged in a fight with Columbus, another huge elephant, in Algiers, New Orleans; Columbus also killed two men that day.[5][6] In June 1854, he escaped his keeper near Pawtucket, Rhode Island and ran many miles before being captured.[7] And in November 1859, he caused a scene when he briefly escaped from captivity in Williamsburg, Brooklyn, injuring one man and freeing other animals from their cages on his way.[8] In October 1862, he killed a "partially deranged" man who irritated him in Caldwell, Ohio, whereupon Van Amburgh had his tusks sawn off.[9]
One winter, Hannibal was wintered next to "Queen Anne", a female elephant from a different traveling circus unit, and it was said to be "a case of love at first sight," with mutual affection displayed between the elephants all winter. Hannibal became very depressed when they were parted in the spring, refusing to eat for eleven days (drinking only water and whiskey), and on the next day briefly escaping his fastenings in a rage.[10][11]