A STAR IS BORN

At only a year and a half, this prodigy became the youngest ever center ring star of the Carson & Barnes 5 Ring Circus. Although the audiences find her absolutely adorable, there is much more to her act than just being cute. Young Jennie executes amazing tricks well beyond her tender age, and her 1,500+ pounds don't seem to slow her. She moves about the ring with speed and grace. She is of course, Jennie the Asian elephant, a precocious pachyderm, special in many ways.

On September 6, 1998, Isa gave birth to Jennie. At 250 pounds, she was Isa's first baby and the first elephant born in the Carson & Barnes elephant-breeding program. The Circus is committed to helping the endangered Asian elephant, and has built an extensive breeding facility. Having one of the largest gene pools in the country, Carson & Barnes is playing an important part in saving this magnificent animal.

Tim Frisco, the circus' Animal Care Director, was present at Jennie's birth, and has rarely been far from her since. There is an amazing bond between the two, no doubt strengthened by the many years Tim and Jennie's mother have worked together. He has Isa's absolute trust. "Jennie is a natural performer," Tim recently said, "she loves showing off." They began working together early in Jennie's life, to develop the impressive act she now performs with ease. His many years of living and working with elephants have convinced Tim Frisco of the intelligence of elephants, and Jennie has shown herself to be a cut above the most. She appears along with 20 other elephants in the latest edition of this incredible five-ring spectacle.