Jumbo the African elephant was purchased by the American showman P.T Barnum from the Zoological Society of London in 1882. Jumbo's departure to America was covered with great interest in the British press. Depicted here is the failed initial attempt to remove Jumbo from the Zoological Gardens to commence his journey to America. Balking at his cage and refusing to enter it, it was later altered to better support him, and placed close to his stable door for him to become more accustomed to it.