Al Oeming


Albert Frederick Hans Oeming was a Canadian wildlife conservationist, zoologist, professional wrestler and wrestling promoter. Oeming co-founded the professional wrestling promotion Stampede Wrestling and owned the largest game farm in North America.

Early life

Oeming was born on April 9, 1925 in Edmonton to Albert and Elspeth Oeming, who had immigrated to Canada from Germany.

Professional wrestling career

Oeming wrestled for the Capitol Wrestling Corporation in the 1940s on the urging of his boyhood neighbor Stu Hart whom he also served in the Royal Canadian Navy together with during World War Two. He later co-founded the Stampede Wrestling promotion with Hart in 1948.

Nature activism

Oeming was the Edmonton Zoological Society's inaugural president. He sought and rescued rare and endangered wild animals, particularly in northern and western Canada. Oeming toured the country attending schools with his tame cheetah Tawana to educate children about wildlife. In the 1980s Oeming starred in the television mini-series Al Oeming – Man of the North.
Oeming sometimes also loaned out some of his animals to the Disney company to use in their nature films.

Personal life

Oeming was married twice, first to May Dorothy Dennistoun in 1950 and then to Gina Mrklas in 1978.

Championships and accomplishments