The Elephant Of Tregaron
The Elephant Of Tregaron
The Elephant of Tregaron is almost as famous as Tregaron itself. Tregaron is a small town in Ceredigion, West Wales which owes its existence to the wool trade in the 13th Century. The main resting house 'The Talbot' was a popular stop for drovers as they took a rest from tending their flocks of sheep.
The elephant is said to have been one of the animals owned by Batty's Travelling Menagerie and Circus. Passing through the town in 1848 the elephant is said to have stopped at 'The Talbot' to quench its thirst. Sadly the water which it drank was badly contaminated with lead and the unfortunate animal died in the Ivy Bush stables adjoining the pub.
As it was not possible to move the Tregaron Elephant any great distance it was buried behind 'The Talbot' in what is now believed to be the pubs Beer Garden. There is no certainty as to the exact location as the Talbot previously owned over 100 acres.
Excavation
On the 9th April 2011 a team of Archaeologists from the University of Wales started a small scale excavation to see if there was any truth behind the legend. Though the time spent on the project is limited it may prove nothing at all because the exact location of the burial is unknown.
Dig for Tregaron's Victorian elephant carcass - Video
- BBC News - Dig for Tregaron's Victorian elephant carcass
Archaeologists start digging up a pub beer garden in search of a legendary Victorian circus elephant.
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Tregaron
