Rumpke Confirms Elephant Buried on Its Colerain Township Property

The peculiar rumor went viral after the company president shared the backstory during a local history tour.

Mar. 28, 2026 at 1:50am

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Rumpke, the waste management company, has confirmed that there is indeed an elephant buried on its property in Colerain Township, Ohio. The story dates back to the 1970s when a traveling circus performing in Cincinnati had one of its elephants die. Rumpke stepped in and offered to provide the animal a proper burial on its land. The elephant's name was Tyler, and the company now shares this unique bit of local history with visitors during tours of its facilities.

Why it matters

The revelation that Rumpke has an elephant buried on its property has captured the imagination of the local community, sparking curiosity and interest in the company's history and its role in preserving an unusual piece of Colerain Township's past. This story highlights Rumpke's commitment to being a good corporate citizen and its willingness to assist the community, even in unusual circumstances.

The details

In the 1970s, a traveling circus was performing in Cincinnati when one of its elephants, named Tyler, died. Rumpke, the waste management company headquartered in Colerain Township, offered to provide the elephant with a proper burial on its property. The company has now confirmed this unusual bit of local history and says it enjoys sharing the story with visitors during tours of its facilities.

  • In the 1970s, a traveling circus was performing in Cincinnati when one of its elephants died.
  • After the elephant's death, Rumpke offered to provide the animal with a proper burial on its property in Colerain Township.

The players

Rumpke

A waste management company headquartered in Colerain Township, Ohio, that offered to provide a burial for a deceased circus elephant in the 1970s.

Tyler

The name of the elephant that died while a traveling circus was performing in Cincinnati in the 1970s.

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What they’re saying

“We like explaining this story to visitors during our facility tours. It's a unique bit of Colerain Township history that we're proud to share.”

— Jeff Rumpke, President, Rumpke

The takeaway

Rumpke's willingness to provide a proper burial for a deceased circus elephant in the 1970s demonstrates the company's commitment to being a good corporate citizen and preserving local history. This unusual story has captured the imagination of the Colerain Township community and highlights Rumpke's efforts to engage with and educate the public about its operations and role in the region.