Chuny the Elephant: A Tragic Tale

In the early 19th century, London was a city captivated by exotic animals. Zoos, travelling menageries, and exotic creatures in private collections fascinated the public, offering rare glimpses of wildlife from far-flung corners of the world. Among these animals was Chuny, an Indian elephant who became one of London’s most tragic and infamous animal residents. His story reflects the shifting attitudes towards animal welfare and entertainment in the Georgian and Victorian eras.


Chuny’s Arrival in London

Chuny, sometimes spelled “Chunee,” was an Indian elephant brought to England as part of the growing trade in exotic animals. It is believed he arrived in London from India on board an East India Company ship in 1811. Like many exotic animals of the time, he was part of a travelling menagerie and quickly became a star attraction. By 1812, Chuny was sold to Stephen Polito, the owner of the menagerie at Exeter Exchange, a popular exhibition venue located on the Strand in central London.

The Exeter Exchange (or “Exeter Change”) was a peculiar institution. It housed wild animals in cramped quarters on its upper floors, above shops and businesses. Though it was a far cry from modern zoos, it drew large crowds eager to see lions, tigers, monkeys, and, of course, the star of the show, Chuny. Visitors marvelled at the sheer size and majesty of the elephant, who became a favourite of the paying public.

In time, ownership of the Change passed to Edward Cross who recognised the value of the elephant and insured him for £500.


Chuny’s Life at Exeter Exchange

Chuny’s life was full of remarkable tales. He was trained to ring a bell each evening at nine o’clock to signal the menagerie supper, and he delighted onlookers by using his trunk to take a penny from his keeper and buy food from an old cake-seller. On one occasion, he exacted revenge on a fashionable gentleman who had jabbed a pin into his sensitive trunk by shredding the man’s expensive top hat. Chuny was a magnet for attention, even attracting actors who saw him as a kindred celebrity. He endured endless curiosity, including an experiment by the esteemed surgeon Sir Everard Home, who had a piano hauled to the menagerie to test Chuny’s musical abilities. Science, for all its efforts, concluded that Chuny was entirely unmusical.

But as Chuny aged, he grew larger and more difficult to control. Male elephants often experience a condition called musth, a period of heightened aggression caused by a surge of hormones. In captivity, where elephants lack adequate space and stimulation, this behaviour can become particularly dangerous. Vhjuny became almost impossible to control, his keepers were attacked, and one, a German by the name of Johann Tietjen, was killed.


The Tragic End of Chuny

The breaking point came in 1826 when Chuny, during yet another attempt to batter the bars of his enclosure, damaged one of his tusks. A splinter of ivory caused a painful inflammation in the pulp of the tusk, sending the elephant into a frenzy. Expert opinions long after the fact suggested the injury could have been treated, but Thomas Cross, unaware of the true cause and faced with an uncontrollable and dangerous animal, felt compelled to take drastic action.

Cross first attempted to poison Chuny, but the elephant refused the bait. Desperation escalated, and soldiers from the barracks at Somerset House were summoned to fire musket balls at him. Despite the hail of bullets, Chuny’s enormous strength and size kept him alive. Finally, the fatal shot was delivered by William Herring, Cross’s brother-in-law, who aimed at Chuny’s throat and, as a grim precaution, fired another shot into his ear.

The prolonged and gruesome nature of Chuny’s death shocked the public. While some justified the act as a matter of safety, others were appalled by the cruelty and mismanagement that had led to the situation. Chuny’s death became a rallying point for those advocating for better treatment of animals, sparking debates about the ethics of keeping exotic creatures in captivity.


Legacy and Impact

Chuny’s tragic story left a lasting impact on London’s cultural and animal welfare landscape. It served as a catalyst for questioning the treatment of captive animals and the conditions in which they were kept. By the mid-19th century, public attitudes towards animals were beginning to shift, leading to the establishment of institutions like the Zoological Society of London (ZSL) in 1826 and the opening of London Zoo in 1828. These institutions aimed to create more humane environments for animals and focused on education and conservation, although early zoos still had much to learn about proper animal care.

Chuny’s death also highlighted the inadequacies of venues like Exeter Exchange, where animals were kept in unsuitable and often dangerous conditions. Exeter Exchange itself was eventually demolished in 1829, marking the end of an era for such menageries.

In the broader context, Chuny’s story became a symbol of the need for reform in the way animals were treated, paving the way for the animal welfare movement. In 1822, just a few years before Chuny’s death, Richard Martin, an MP, introduced the first legislation aimed at protecting animals, known as Martin’s Act. The law prohibited cruelty to cattle, horses, and sheep, and was a precursor to more comprehensive animal protection laws.


Remembering Chuny

While Chuny’s life was marked by tragedy, his story is an important reminder of the progress made in animal welfare over the past two centuries. Today, the idea of keeping an elephant in a cramped building in central London would be unthinkable. Modern zoos and sanctuaries focus on providing animals with space, enrichment, and care that closely mimic their natural habitats.

Chuny’s legacy also lives on in literature and history. His story has been referenced in books, articles, and exhibitions about London’s past, serving as a cautionary tale about the responsibilities of humans towards the animals in their care.


The Bigger Picture: Exotic Animals in Georgian London

Chuny’s story is just one chapter in the larger narrative of exotic animals in Georgian and Victorian London. During this period, exotic animals were symbols of wealth, power, and curiosity. They were imported from colonies and distant lands, often at great expense, and displayed in menageries, private collections, and even royal palaces. The Tower of London famously housed a royal menagerie, which included lions, leopards, and polar bears.

By the 19th century, the fascination with exotic animals was giving way to a more scientific and conservationist approach. Institutions like London Zoo began focusing on research and public education, setting the stage for modern zoological practices.

Wild animals in London


Chuny the elephant is remembered as a tragic figure in London’s history, a symbol of the cruelty and ignorance of the time, but also as a catalyst for change. His death shocked a city and helped spark conversations about animal welfare that continue to this day. While his life in captivity was far from what an elephant deserves, his story serves as an important reminder of the need for compassion, understanding, and respect for the natural world.

As we reflect on Chuny’s story, it is clear that progress has been made, but the responsibility to care for and protect animals remains as important as ever.

Read more: The Elephant of Exeter Change: A Tale of Cruelty and Confinement in Georgian London

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