Iowa Time Machine ⏰: On November 22, 1974, Brucie the Tiger from the Des Moines Zoo appeared on Captain Kangaroo. The tiger gained national fame after zoo director Bob Elgin employed Brucie and two other big cats as nightwatchmen after a series of after-dark vandalism incidents at the zoo on the south side of Des Moines.
When a series of incidents led to problems with late-night security at the Des Moines Children’s Zoo (now Blank Park Zoo), Elgin decided he would let one of the park’s lions patrol after dark. The vandalism quickly stopped as word got out, and Elgin decided to continue the patrols. The following year, when the lion prepared to give birth to cubs, Elgin decided to expand his big cat patrol by using his family dog, Pepper, to train three big cat cubs.
Brucie, a two-hundred-pound tiger, took to the labrador’s lead most effectively. While a young lion and leopard also took part in the training, Brucie proved an old dog can teach a young cat new tricks. When media outlets caught wind of Elgin’s plans, the tiger quickly grabbed headlines across the country.
Aside from the Captain Kangaroo appearance, Elgin also brought the tiger to the popular Des Moines television program he ran with Bill Riley called “Zoo Show.” On his first appearance, Elgin uncaged the tiger, who promptly pounced, towed Riley, and put his paws on the notable media personality’s shoulders. Although Riley initially felt a wave of fear, Elgin assured the host the tiger was just meant to make friends with the iconic Iowa broadcast personality. #IowaOTD #IowaHistoryDaily #IowaHistoryCalendar
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