The Animal Walk, when
circus personnel walk the large animals from their quarters on the
Circus Train to the arena, has always been an exciting activity for
me. Exciting because I am able to photograph both railroad circus
cars and large animals! They do this walk immediately upon
arrival from the previous city. This Animal Walk was first
scheduled for 2 pm, but I got a call that it had been delayed until 6
pm for the unloading, "Because of the railroad." I had asked if
it was because of the heat, it was 106 degrees today and 100 degrees at
6:30 pm for the animal walk. One mother said she had called the
Anaheim Pond to get the time for the Animal Walk.
I was surprised at the small number of animals that were
unloaded: 8 elephants, 14 horses, 2 zedonkeys, 2 alpakas, and 2
goats. Upon hearing this list, I remembered what friends who had
seen the circus in Fresno said. They said it was one, not three,
rings, and no big cats. Hopefully the performance will be as
exciting as it has been in the past. The Circus Train is as large
as ever, I wonder what the new circus will be like.
Photos of the Animal Walk
When the animal
cars arrive, first the ramps are placed.
|
The local TV
station was on hand as was Jill Queza of B.S. Public Relations.
|
It was a tailgate party for the locals.
|
The Walkers of
Anaheim had waited a long time, since they did not know about the 4-hr.
time change.
|
Soon the
animals were up close and personal with their Ringling handlers (dark
shirts) and escorts (light shirts).
|
The blue
shields on the elephant's foreheads and the train cars signifies the
Blue Unit.
|
The small animal trailer followed the elephants, then the two zedonkeys.
|
The horses ended the Animal Walk.
|
|
The entire animal walk could be shown in one image!
|
The end...of the Animal Walk.
[
Back to the Circus Train Webpage by Carl
Morrison ]
