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Gebel Mark Biography

American circus performer and noted family, the son of Gunther Gebel-Williams, the Ringling Brothers great animal trainer. Mark learned the business from his dad who turned over his whip on 11/18/1990 after a final performance in Pittsburgh, PA. He works with elephants, horses, and, as of 1999, tigers. His dad died on 7/19/2001. Mark appeared in court on 12/17/2001 in San Jose, CA at the beginning of a trial in which he is charged with animal abuse. He is accused of using a hooked stick known as an ankus to wound an elephant that was being paraded in a circus performance on 8/25/2001, San Jose. After a two-hour deliberation, the jury acquitted him on 12/21. His mom, Sigrid and circus owner Kenneth Feld stood by him during the brief skirmish. Read less