Whose Mascot Is Jumbo?

Jumbo the elephant, a 19th-century male African elephant owned by P.T. Barnum, is one of the only animal mascots chosen for his heroism and the introduction of the word “jumbo” to our language. Tufts University’s official mascot, Jumbo, was the largest elephant known at the time, standing approximately 12 feet tall at the time. Jumbo became a campus attraction over time and was adopted by Tufts as its mascot. School songs were written in Jumbo’s name, and Tufts athletic teams invoked Jumbo’s strength, bravery, and courage.

The 5,000-pound, 12 feet tall, 18 feet long statue of Jumbo the elephant, our beloved mascot, is being celebrated this fall with an art exhibition and a commemorative book to mark the 125th anniversary. Jumbo’s status as Tufts mascot can be attributed to Barnum’s eventual donation of the stuffed elephant. The university has been without a mascot before then, and Jumbo is the Tufts University mascot.

Jumbo’s life and his legacy have been immortalized in popular culture, posters, photographs, household items, and even the 5,000-pound, 12 feet tall, 18 feet long statue of Jumbo the elephant. The university is celebrating Jumbo’s 125th anniversary with an art exhibition and a commemorative book to mark the event. Jumbo’s status as Tufts mascot can be attributed to Barnum’s eventual donation of the stuffed elephant.