History Extra Podcast: King Leopold's Elephant Expedition – A Story of Colonialism in Congo

Episode Release Date: February 28, 2025
Host: Ellie Cawthorn
Guest: Sophie Roberts, Author of "A Training School for Elephants"

Introduction

In this compelling episode of the History Extra Podcast, host Ellie Cawthorn delves into a lesser-known chapter of colonial history: King Leopold II of Belgium's ambitious yet ultimately unsuccessful 1879 expedition to transport Asian elephants to the African interior. Joining her is journalist and author Sophie Roberts, who retraced the roots of this ill-fated journey for her book, "A Training School for Elephants." Together, they explore the motivations behind the expedition, the challenges faced, and its enduring legacy.

Historical Context (08:12)

Sophie Roberts provides a rich backdrop for understanding the expedition, situating it within the broader dynamics of Central Africa in the late 19th century:

"The expedition takes place in 1879. And importantly, this expedition was a first, a first attempt... It was the preamble to the scramble for Africa."
(08:38)

Key points discussed include:

• Foreign Influence and Trade: The region was a melting pot of Omani Arabs controlling caravan routes, Indian merchants establishing commercial stations, and an influx of European explorers and consuls eager to capitalize on African resources.

• Technological Advancements: The opening of the Suez Canal in 1869 and the establishment of the telegraph in Zanzibar in 1879 significantly enhanced connectivity, facilitating faster communication and movement of goods.

• Decline of the Slave Trade: The 1870s marked the waning years of the Arab slave trade, with the last major markets closing in Zanzibar by 1873, creating a power vacuum and economic shifts in the region.

King Leopold II's Ambitions (13:14)

Sophie Roberts paints a detailed portrait of King Leopold II, highlighting his relentless pursuit of colonial dominance:

"He was extremely ambitious. He wanted his piece of cake in the age of empire... Leopold II, his son, he was cut from the same cloth. He was smart, really smart."
(13:38)

Highlights include:

• Multiple Colonization Attempts: Leopold II made over 51 attempts across 34 years to secure a colony, seeking territories in Crete, Cuba, Texas, the Faroe Islands, the Caribbean, and Guatemala before setting his sights on Congo.

• Strategic Maneuvering: Leopold cleverly disguised his exploitative motives under the guise of humanitarian efforts, positioning himself as a savior intent on "saving Africa from itself."

• International Collaboration: In 1876, he orchestrated a geographical conference in Brussels, bringing together European explorers to legitimize his claims and mask his true intentions.

The 1879 Elephant Expedition (16:01)

Central to the episode is Leopold's 1879 expedition, aimed at establishing a trainable workforce of elephants in Congo. Sophie Roberts explains:

"He wanted to find out if he could create a transport system to extract the continent's resources. And elephants were a possible solution..."
(03:07)

Key aspects include:

• Selection of Frederick Carter: An Irishman with expertise in Arabic negotiations, Carter was chosen for his ability to navigate the complex sociopolitical landscape, despite lacking any experience with elephants.

• Objective: The primary goal was to determine if African elephants could replace horses and mules, which were susceptible to the tsetse fly, thereby revolutionizing resource extraction and reducing reliance on existing slave trade routes.

Challenges Faced (19:38)

The expedition was fraught with numerous obstacles, as detailed by Sophie Roberts:

"Food and water. Those elephants were carrying 500 kilos each... dangerous animals, fear of hyena... managing a transit tax called hongo."
(19:48)

Challenges discussed include:

• Logistical Hurdles: Transporting four large elephants across treacherous terrains required substantial food, water, and specific dietary provisions, necessitating deviations from established caravan routes.

• Hostile Environment: The expedition contended with steep mountains, dense forests like the Atigi Thicket, and threats from predators such as hyenas, which endangered both humans and elephants.

• Local Relations: Navigating transit taxes (hongo) and dealing with volatile relationships with indigenous tribes compounded the difficulties, leading to instances of violence and mistrust.

• Leadership Shortcomings: Frederick Carter's lack of knowledge about elephants and the over-reliance on European pomp and symbolism undermined the expedition's practical effectiveness.

The Elephants' Journey and Experiences (22:57)

A poignant segment focuses on the plight of the elephants themselves:

"They were interesting for me because I spent some time in Poona, India, where these elephants originally came from... It is a story of suffering."
(22:57)

Insights include:

• Emotional Bonds: The elephants had dedicated mahouts (handlers), reflecting deep, lifelong bonds that were abruptly disrupted by the expedition.

• Suffering and Exploitation: The journey was marred by the elephants' hardships, highlighting the broader theme of animal exploitation under colonial ventures.

Legacy and Failure of Leopold's Plan (25:31)

The expedition ultimately failed to achieve its primary objectives, as Sophie Roberts elaborates:

"No, it wasn't a success. He used men. He used men. Once he got his Congo, he used men... it wasn't real."
(25:46)

Key points include:

• PR Over Substance: While Leopold showcased the elephants in media and international exhibitions, the actual utility of elephants as a sustainable labor force was minimal.

• Decline Post-Independence: Congo's independence in 1960 and ensuing conflicts further dismantled the remnants of the expedition, with attempts to use elephants fading and the last habituated elephant dying in 2010.

• Enduring Impact of Colonialism: The failure underscores the exploitative nature of colonial endeavors, where true progress was subverted by underlying motives of resource extraction and power consolidation.

Sophie Roberts's Research and Findings (30:39)

Sophie Roberts shares her journey of uncovering this obscured history:

"I wanted to find a narrative way into a story where lots of voices are missing... create a greater empathy about the crimes that have been committed by colonialism."
(30:39)

Highlights include:

• Field Research: Her work involved traversing the original expedition route, comparing historical journeys with contemporary landscapes to assess changes and continuity.

• Archival Discoveries: In Zanzibar archives, she unearthed personal diaries linking the elephants' arrival to significant local events, bridging past and present narratives.

• Oral Histories: Emphasizing the power of oral memory, Roberts sought to amplify the voices historically marginalized or silenced by colonial records.

Conclusion

This episode of the History Extra Podcast offers a thorough exploration of King Leopold II's elephant expedition, revealing the intricate web of colonial ambition, logistical challenges, and the profound human and animal suffering it entailed. Through Sophie Roberts's dedicated research, listeners gain a nuanced understanding of how this obscure episode fits into the broader tapestry of Africa's colonial history, emphasizing the enduring legacies of exploitation and the importance of recovering forgotten stories.

Notable Quotes:

• Sophie Roberts (03:07): "King Leopold II of Belgium wanted to find out if he could create a transport system to extract the continent's resources. And elephants were a possible solution..."

• Sophie Roberts (19:48): "Managing a transit tax called hongo was like a transit tax then you had terrible communication systems coming up and down the caravan trails."

• Sophie Roberts (22:57): "It is a story of suffering. And there's the animal suffering, of course. There's just huge, huge, huge human suffering."

• Sophie Roberts (25:46): "No, it wasn't a success. He used men. He used men. Once he got his Congo, he used men."

• Sophie Roberts (30:39): "This book tries to find a balance by using contemporary voices in some way. It can never rectify it, ever. But what it can do is create a greater empathy about the crimes that have been committed by colonialism."

This detailed summary captures the essence of the podcast episode, providing an engaging and comprehensive overview for those who haven't listened. It highlights the critical discussions, insights, and conclusions drawn by the host and guest, enriched with notable quotes and structured for clarity.