Tuesday, December 04, 2018

KISSES


6 comments:

Chic Silber said...


1 of Kari & Gary Johnson's

elephants during filming

"Water For Elephants"

Roger Smith said...

Her name is Tai, who portrayed the movie elephant, Rosie. Gary and Kari left California due to the state law prohibiting "any extension of the arm", meaning the bullhook, for use in working with elephants. They were based in Perrin, California, and Wini McKay told me they are now in Texas, where I trust my fellow Texans continue to have better sense.

I'll tell you something. When I arrived in Thousand Oaks, it was as if I'd died and gone to Heaven. I loved the Compound, the town, and all of California, most of which we toured with packages of Jungleland animal acts on the West Coast circuses. Being there brought me onto my first major feature film, DR. DOLITTLE, and a long string of film and TV assignments thereafter. I still grieve for the closing of our Compound, and for the changes of Thousand Oaks from still a village then to a big city today. Parley Baer said to me, "If you tried to return now, it will break your heart." I still never want to admit it, but he was right.

We had wildfires then, and some came close to us with the San Bernadino fires. But now, these fires are more powerfully destructive, and the rains and mudslides are worse than ever known. It has become the question, where out there can you live? On top of this, the fruits-and-nuts factor has elected Gavin Newsome as incoming governor, and he wants to provide totally free medical care for anyone there or whoever moves in, meaning California is doomed to become Venezuela West. It's a sadness that compelled Gary and Kari Johnson to depart, and as tough as it may have been for them, I trust Texas will prove to them and their elephants, that they are far better off.

GaryHill said...

I would Love to go and Welcome them to Texas... I have never had the Privilege
to meet them.

Chic Silber said...


Their new place is called "The Preserve"

located remotely in Fredericksburg Texas

Their 5 elephants are Rosie Kitty Becky

Dixie & Tai (the oldest at 42)

Chic Silber said...


Are you sure this is Tai Roger

as they have an elephant Rosie

Chic Silber said...


The Preserve is located at

650 Double Horn Road in

Fredericksburg Texas

The link to their website is

https://www.visitthepreserve.com/

(kinda jus South of BF)