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Zookeeper George Lewis polishes Ziggy the elephant's tusks at Brookfield Zoo in 1938. "Given the opportunity, Lewis says, Ziggy could become a tobacco fiend, as he is even fonder of chewing his cigarettes than of smoking them."
Max Arthur / Chicago Tribune
Zookeeper George Lewis polishes Ziggy the elephant’s tusks at Brookfield Zoo in 1938. “Given the opportunity, Lewis says, Ziggy could become a tobacco fiend, as he is even fonder of chewing his cigarettes than of smoking them.”

Saving Ziggy the elephant

By | mmather@chicagotribune.com | Chicago Tribune
PUBLISHED: | UPDATED:
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Zookeeper George Lewis polishes Ziggy the elephant’s tusks at Brookfield Zoo in 1938. “Given the opportunity, Lewis says, Ziggy could become a tobacco fiend, as he is even fonder of chewing his cigarettes than of smoking them.”
In an unposed photo, Ziggy turns temperamental and chases Brookfield Zoo employee George Lewis into a moat, circa July 31, 1938. This was shortly after the elephant had tossed Lewis, injuring him slightly. Three years later, Lewis had to punch Ziggy in the eye.
In an unposed photo, Ziggy turns temperamental and chases Brookfield Zoo employee George Lewis into a moat, circa July 31, 1938. This was shortly after the elephant had tossed Lewis, injuring him slightly. Three years later, Lewis had to punch Ziggy in the eye.
Trainer George Lewis avoids Ziggy's tusks as the elephant attacks the zookeeper on April 26, 1941, at Brookfield Zoo. Editors note: There are original markings on this historic print.
Trainer George Lewis avoids Ziggy’s tusks as the elephant attacks the zookeeper on April 26, 1941, at Brookfield Zoo. Editors note: There are original markings on this historic print.
Ziggy, a male elephant who was confined by a chain in the elephant house and was the largest Asiatic elephant in captivity, is seen here on Sept. 1, 1966.
Ziggy, a male elephant who was confined by a chain in the elephant house and was the largest Asiatic elephant in captivity, is seen here on Sept. 1, 1966.
Ziggy the elephant is coaxed from his indoor pen at Brookfield Zoo by his former zookeeper George Lewis, third from left, as Ziggy takes his first outdoor walk in 29 years on Sept. 23, 1970.
Ziggy the elephant is coaxed from his indoor pen at Brookfield Zoo by his former zookeeper George Lewis, third from left, as Ziggy takes his first outdoor walk in 29 years on Sept. 23, 1970.
After 30 years of being chained to a wall — except for a few outings — Ziggy is free and in his new stockade at Brookfield Zoo on Aug. 28, 1971. Some 1,000 people watched Ziggy walk out.
After 30 years of being chained to a wall — except for a few outings — Ziggy is free and in his new stockade at Brookfield Zoo on Aug. 28, 1971. Some 1,000 people watched Ziggy walk out.
Ziggy the elephant at Brookfield Zoo is given freedom and is welcomed by the public on Aug. 28, 1971.
Ziggy the elephant at Brookfield Zoo is given freedom and is welcomed by the public on Aug. 28, 1971.
A cheer went up as Ziggy, a 56-year-old elephant at Brookfield Zoo, emerged from his inside enclosure on July 4, 1973. The elephant had been freed from his indoor chained enclosure in 1971.
A cheer went up as Ziggy, a 56-year-old elephant at Brookfield Zoo, emerged from his inside enclosure on July 4, 1973. The elephant had been freed from his indoor chained enclosure in 1971.
Peter Crowcroft, Brookfield Zoo's director, directs the rescue effort for Ziggy the elephant who fell head-first into a moat in his enclosure on March 23, 1975. The rescue effort included dumping gravel into the moat so Ziggy, who weighed 7 tons, could walk out on his own.
Peter Crowcroft, Brookfield Zoo’s director, directs the rescue effort for Ziggy the elephant who fell head-first into a moat in his enclosure on March 23, 1975. The rescue effort included dumping gravel into the moat so Ziggy, who weighed 7 tons, could walk out on his own.
Brookfield Zoo attendants dump gravel into a moat to build a ramp that would allow Ziggy the elephant to walk out of the 10-foot hold and back to his cage on March 24, 1975.
Brookfield Zoo attendants dump gravel into a moat to build a ramp that would allow Ziggy the elephant to walk out of the 10-foot hold and back to his cage on March 24, 1975.
The ordeal nearly over, Ziggy the elephant slowly lifts himself out of a 10-foot moat on March 24, 1975, using the gravel ramp employees at Brookfield Zoo made for him after his fall.
The ordeal nearly over, Ziggy the elephant slowly lifts himself out of a 10-foot moat on March 24, 1975, using the gravel ramp employees at Brookfield Zoo made for him after his fall.

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