John Cooke

1: Cardie (fatal attack)

1. 1923-07: animal trainer John Cooke fatal attack by Cardie. In Brisbane, during a performance under the big top, he lashed out at his trainer, Mr Cooke, knocking down her trainer and crushing him with her head. John David Welby Cooke † John Cooke Died 1923-07, Wirth Circus tour in Brisbane. The incident left the circus management shaken. George Wirth, the circus owner, lay awake that night, agonizing over what to do. By morning, a grim decision had been made: Cardie would have to be destroyed, and he was subsequently shot three days later, in July 1923.

He had numerous incidences of attacking his keepers. In 1923 during a performance in Queensland Cardie attacked his trainer. He was subsequently shot in July 1923.

Circus elephant, Cardie, was shot after knocking down her trainer and crushing him with her head.

1925: John Welby Cooke Sr. was famed as the ringmaster of Wirths Circus in Melbourne. He was killed two years ago when "Cardie", a giant elephant in Wirths Circus, attacked him.

On a fateful Friday night in Brisbane, during a performance under the big top, he lashed out at his trainer, Mr Cooke, injuring him. The incident left the circus management shaken. George Wirth, the circus owner, lay awake that night, agonising over what to do. By morning, a grim decision had been made: Cardie would have to be destroyed.