The Hattiesburg Zoo has been one of the Pine Belt’s largest attractions for decades. Generations have flocked to the little oasis of animals nestled between 17th and 19th Avenues. The zoo’s land was originally dedicated as a public park. The park was named after John Kamper, a local real estate developer who developed many early Hattiesburg neighborhoods. The City of Hattiesburg began acquiring animals to be displayed in the park in the early 1950s. Eventually the park became a bona fide zoo. Over the years, the various name changes reflect the transition from park to zoo: “Kamper Park,” “Kamper Park and Zoo,” “Hattiesburg Zoo at Kamper Park,” and finally “Hattiesburg Zoo.”
It is safe to say that the Hattiesburg Zoo is more popular today than ever before. The zoo offers nicer facilities, better exhibits, and a greater variety of animals species than ever before. In recent years it has added new exhibits for wallabies, giraffes, and hyenas. The Hattiesburg Zoo has also added non-animal-related features, like the ropes course and a splash pad.
Many area residents of a certain age have memories of two extraordinary animals. The Hattiesburg Zoo’s largest and most famous residents were two female elephants. The first elephant was Hattie, who lived at the zoo from 1958 until her death in 1974. The second elephant was Barbar, who lived at the zoo from 1974 until her death in 1987. Both elephants had fascinating stories that have become local lore.
Hattie was a surplus Ringling Brothers Circus elephant. In the late 1950s the Ringling Brothers Circus was struggling financially. The famous circus company decided to cut costs and only perform smaller indoor shows. The era of the big circus tents and circus trains ended. The decision resulted in a massive selloff of locomotives, train cars, equipment, tents, and animals. Hattiesburg Zoo’s director, Joe Delia, visited the winter home of Ringling Brother Circus in Sarasota, Florida in search of an elephant to bring back to Hattiesburg. The story goes that Delia walked down a long line of elephants up for sale until one elephant reached out her trunk and touched him. Delia took that as a sign. He purchased the elephant and had her brought back to Hattiesburg. She was named Hattie by a group of school children at the Walthall school. She quickly became a hit with zoo visitors.
After Hattie’s death, Hattiesburg Zoo officials bought a second elephant, named Barbar, from an exotic animal dealer in Brownville, Texas. While living in Brownville, Barbar developed a fond attachment to a goat named Gracie. According to the story, Barbar would not enter the transport truck until Gracie got in first. The usual animal pair remained friends at the Hattiesburg Zoo. In 1983, the Hattiesburg Zoo was hit by a flash flood. The flood waters from nearby Gordon’s Creek washed Gracie away - she was presumed dead. Barbar stood in flood water nearly five feet deep but survived. Barbar was deeply sadden by the death of Gracie. She laid down on her concert floor and refused to eat or get back up. She mourned the loss of her friend Gracie. The story made national news headlines. Zoo officials contacted elephant experts across the country to help Barbar. An elephant from the New Orleans Zoo was temporarily brought in to lift Barbar’s spirits. Barbar got back up and began to eat again, but she was never really the same. Barbar lived for a few more years, dying in 1987.
Barbar’s death marked the end of an era at the Hattiesburg Zoo. At first, there was serious discussion about obtaining a third elephant. At the time, Hattiesburg Mayor G.D. Williamson famously stated that, “a zoo is not a zoo without an elephant.” Hattiesburg Zoo officials traveled back to Texas to inquire about obtaining another elephant. Ultimately the dream of a third elephant faded away.
America’s zoo culture had evolved by the late 1980’s. The days of confining animals in small concert cages with metal bars were coming to an end. Zoos across the county were setting a higher standard of care for their animals. Animal exhibits became larger and more natural in appearance. Zoos also began putting a higher emphasis on education and conservation. Frankly, the Hattiesburg Zoo did not have the money or space to obtain multiple elephants and house them in a substantially larger enclosure.
Elephants are highly intelligent and extremely social animals. Today we know that it is cruel to confine them alone in a small space. The Hattiesburg Zoo decided to funnel their time and energy into constructing a modern tiger exhibit. In 1992, the tiger exhibit was opened as the zoo’s new marque exhibit.
Thousands of people still vividly remember Hattie and Barbar at the Hattiesburg Zoo. The memories are usually bitter-sweet. Most recall a wonderful childhood visiting the magnificent elephants but are also glad that zoo animals are better taken care of today.
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Keith Ball is a local attorney and a lifelong resident of the Friendly City.
