Kita thrills Detroiters in August 1961 after her near-death experience with a tennis ball.

From the Aug. 18, 1961, edition of the Detroit Free Press

George Bromley, the Detroit Zoo's chief animal keeper, welcomes Kita, a 300-pound infant elephant, to the Belle Isle Children's Zoo on May 20, 1959. She arrived by airplane.

Detroit News photo from the collection of Vance Patrick

Paul Franklin gives Kita the elephant a bath in August 1959.

Detroit News photo from the collection of Vance Patrick

Paul Franklin feeds Kita the elephant an apple in August 1959 as his aunt Margaret Taylor looks on.

Detroit News photo from the collection of Vance Patrick

Kita the elephant in August 1961

Detroit News photo from the collection of Vance Patrick