An elephant at my table

IAIN McGREGOR/Waikato Times

ARE YOU BEING SERVED? Circus elephant Jumbo, along with "soul-mate" Tony Ratcliffe, strolled through the Hamilton suburb of Frankton.

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Circus elephant Jumbo, along with "soul-mate" Tony Ratcliffe, strolled through the Hamilton suburb of Frankton yesterday as part of her continuing retirement preparations.

The 35-year-old African elephant perused the menu at Smo's Cafe, where she encountered Christian Curtis, left, during her walk-about, which lasted about an hour and which will be repeated over coming days.

Jumbo has been a feature of circuses in New Zealand for more than 15 years, and Mr Ratcliffe said she was now doing only short cameo appearances as part of the Loritz Brothers Circus now performing in Hamilton.

Mr Ratcliffe said he had had a lot of support from the public during Jumbo's walkabouts, and she had been given a clean bill of health after a recent veterinarian's check-up.

Mr Ratcliffe, who has been with Jumbo throughout her time as a circus performer, said he was closely involved in negotiations to find a suitable new home for Jumbo when she retires from performing.

- © Fairfax NZ News