I know the subject (jokingly or not) has been discussed in the past about a live elephant mascot...I saw this article today on al.com about vintage photos from around the state and this one is among them...
http://www.al.com/living/index.ssf/2015/04/41_more_weirdly_fascinating_vi.html#incart_gallery
http://www.al.com/living/index.ssf/2015/04/41_more_weirdly_fascinating_vi.html#incart_gallery