And to think that I saw it on 17th Street!

With apologies to Dr. Seuss, I will say that nothing in his Mulberry Street children’s book can top the sight outside National Geographic’s windows last Friday afternoon in downtown Washington, D.C.

A groom was riding an elephant—in rush hour, yet!—to his wedding at the Mayflower Hotel. Indian music filled the air. Wedding guests and curious onlookers filled the streets. Commuters looked unhappy. A couple of government sharpshooters stood on the periphery, rifles at the ready.

The elephant turned out to be 37-year-old Minnie, an 8-foot-tall, 7,000-pound Asian pachyderm who arrived via very big truck from Commerford Zoo in Goshen, Connecticut. The zoo is not open to the public; it keeps three elephants, camels, zebras, and other animals that are rented out for private affairs and commercial use.

Darlene Commerford says the zoo acquired Minnie as a youngster of about 4, from a family who’d raised her … in their house!

Today, Minnie lives in a $100,000 barn with heated floors and can play outdoors in a man-made pool. She made her debut as an Indian wedding elephant about a year ago, and now gets about 20 requests a year from the East Coast. (In Hindu ceremonies, there is a tradition of the groom arriving on the back of an animal—a white horse, or, for over-the-top events, an elephant. "Elephants stand for power and wisdom, useful qualities in a good man," notes Hindu scholar Wendy Doniger of the University of Chicago.) 

Commerford says Minnie doesn’t mind riding hours to get to her gigs. After all, elephants do stand pretty much all the time. “We make stops at truck stops, give her water and more food.”

On scene, two handlers make sure the elephant and groom get along, although Minnie’s mellow disposition ensures a happy pairing. Sharpshooters have never before been part of Minnie’s appearances, says Commerford. But since the White House is mere blocks away from last week’s wedding locale, the government sent the riflemen “in case the elephant went crazy.” The Department of Fish and Wildlife also had representatives on hand.

None of that bothered Minnie. “She’s a very good elephant,” says Commerford. “She was fabulous.”

Animals-rights groups don’t think so. “They’ve harassed people that booked us so bad that they cancel,” says Commerford.

Her perspective on Minnie’s lifestyle? “The animals are well cared for. They’re like our kids. And we only allow the elephant to work up to four hours—we don’t want her to have a long day.”

A lot of humans don’t have such nice bosses.

And in case you were wondering, the cost for an elephant rental: $8,500 and up.

-Marc Silver

Photos: Maria Izaurralde

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