# Elephants and their memories

**URL:** <https://boards.straightdope.com/t/elephants-and-their-memories/253953>\
**Category:** Cecil's Columns/Staff Reports\
**Created:** [July 7, 2004, 2:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/elephants-and-their-memories/253953 "2004-07-07T14:57:27Z")\
**Posts on this page:** 3\
**Page:** 1

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**Author:** ![Shirley\_Ujest](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/45deac/32.png) [@Shirley\_Ujest](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Shirley_Ujest)\
**Post date:** [July 7, 2004, 2:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/elephants-and-their-memories/253953/1 "2004-07-07T14:57:27Z")

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In response to the classic, I give you [this](http://www.elephants.com/shirley/shirleypic3.htm)

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**Author:** ![SCSimmons](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/e495f1/32.png) [@SCSimmons](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/SCSimmons)\
**Post date:** [July 7, 2004, 3:42pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/elephants-and-their-memories/253953/2 "2004-07-07T15:42:02Z")

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[Here’s your obligatory column link.](http://www.straightdope.com/classics/a2_005.html)🙂

Regarding **SU** ’s link: not just the memory, but the social nature of elephants is quite amazing, no?

Regarding the column: Anyone want to bet me that the research project was funded with a government grant? 😃

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**Author:** ![Opengrave](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/o/919ad9/32.png) [@Opengrave](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Opengrave)\
**Post date:** [July 7, 2004, 6:10pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/elephants-and-their-memories/253953/3 "2004-07-07T18:10:53Z")

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A few weeks ago the circus was in town and a trainer was reunited with a former performer who is now at the local zoo. The article was in the Arkansas Democrat Gazette, a portion of which is below. It was a nice article that is available by subscription.

> [@](#):
>
> Mary, one of two elephants at the Little Rock Zoo, proved Friday the adage that elephants never forget. In a touching reunion that left a few eyes misty, Mary rushed to greet Mark Oliver Gebel, the circus trainer she performed with for more than 30 years before her retirement. The elephant nuzzled Gebel and flicked her ears with excitement. (snip) He was in central Arkansas on Friday for Ringling’s scheduled performances at Alltel Arena. On Friday, Gebel brought his wife, a fellow performer, and the couple’s two sons to the zoo. The family hadn’t seen Mary in four years. “She looks fantastic,” he said. “She’s filled out a little and relaxed some.”