Elephant Chunee killed at Exeter Change menagerie

Background. Chunee arrived in England in July 1811 on the East Indiaman Astell. He was exhibited at Covent Garden before being bought by Polito from Gilbert Pidcock's estate. After Polito's death, Edward Cross acquired the menagerie. Chunee grew significantly, requiring new iron-bound oak quarters in 1820. He became increasingly violent, attributed to musth, a condition causing heightened aggression in male elephants.

The Incident. On 1 November 1825, Chunee killed his keeper, Johann Tietjen. By February 1826, he was permanently enraged and close to destroying his den. On 1 March 1826, keepers attempted to feed him poisoned food, which he refused. Consequently, soldiers from Somerset House shot him, and he was ultimately stabbed to death at the Exeter Change.

Aftermath. The death of Chunee inspired a play at Sadler's Wells. The menagerie declined in popularity following the incident. The animals were eventually moved to King's Mews in 1828, and the Exeter Exchange building was demolished in 1829, dispersing the collection to London Zoo and Surrey Zoological Gardens.