Anatoly Anatolyevich Durov

Anatoly Anatolyevich Durov – an outstanding circus performer, clown and animal trainer, son of Anatoly Leonidovich Durov and nephew of Vladimir Leonidovich Durov – the founders of the famous circus dynasty. He was born in Saint Petersburg and spent his childhood and youth in Voronezh. His circus debut took place in Ryazan in 1914 under the stage name Tolli. The performances were hugely successful. For one of his jokes he was expelled from Ryazan.

 

In 1917 Durov went on foreign tours, which met with incredible success. In 1925 Durov returned to the USSR and settled in Taganrog. During this period he was actively engaged in public work, establishing nature reserves, wildlife sanctuaries, zoo-circuses and zoos. Thanks to his efforts, the Rostov Zoo and the Sukhumi monkey nursery were created.

 

Anatoly Anatolyevich Durov was killed in Izhevsk on 19 November 1928 while on tour. The contract killing was passed off as an accident, supposedly occurring during a hunt — despite the fact that Durov, who loved animals so much, was never a hunter.