The Stourbridge Observer, Cradley Heath, Halesowen & District Chronicle.
Stourbridge, West Midlands, England, 1876-01-22 00:00:00

"FLITTING" AT THE ZOOLOGICAL
GARDENS.

The Daily News of Monday gives the following interesting
account of the process of removing the lions and tigers at
the Zoological Gardens to their new residence
The Zoological Gardens in the Regent's Park were
early on Saturday morning the scene of what may
literally be called a moving drama. The Council of
the Zoological Society had built a new lion and tiger
house, and the problem presented for the solution of
Mr. Bartlett and the keepers was how to get the lions
and tigers into it. The building itself is one of which,
regarded is a place of residence, any well-regulated
lion or tiger might well be proud. It is the result of
much anxieus thought and of unlimited expense. In
order to benefit by experience purchased elsewhere,
Mr. Bartlett, the superintendent of the Zoological
Gardens, paid a visit 'to the most celebrated of
kindred instieutions on the Continent, carefully exa-
mining the arrangements made for lions and tigers
at Paris, Berlin' Hamburg, Rotterdam, Amsterdam,
and elsewhere. On the whole the beat was found to be
at Berlin, though it laboured under the disadvantage
of exposure to the heat of summer and the cold of
winter, the latte being so severe that the inmates have
to be removed when the temperature reached a certain
point. Avoiding defects noticed elsewhere, the Zoolo-
gical Society have planned and built a handsvne lofty,
well-lighted, and perfectly ventilated gallery, warm in
winter and cool in summer. The dens, fourteen in
number, occupy one side, facing a range of lofty case-
ments which in hummer may be thrown back, securing
the fult‘st amount of fresh air combined with pro-
tection from the rays of the sun. The building,
of which Mr, Anthony Salvin was the architect,
is warmed by-means of tubular boilers. There are no
drains or sinks in the place, the dens, the level of
whirlh is raised so that the animals are shown to the
greatest advantage, being plentifully supplied with
water by means of a gutter running the full length of
their frontage. At the back of the premises these is
now beiag constructed an open cage, 50 feet long by
40 wide, in which it is intended the lions and tigers
shall, from time to time, take the air in each other's
company.
Ali being ready, the process of "flitting," delicate,
difficult, and not altogether devoid of danger, com-
menced at et ht o'clock, Lord rthur Russell and one
or two othei'members of the Council being present as
speotators. The lions and tigers, as everybody knows,
were housed in a long, low range of buildings, which,
it may rtow be admitted, is both mean in structure,
and inconvenient in design. The mode of procedure
was simple, and in the cases to which it was applied on
Saturday, was immediately effective. A strong box,
five feet long by about four feet six broad, iron
plated within, and iron bound without, was
placed at the entrance of the cage of the animal
to be trapped. The box is provided with sliding
doors at either end, the near one being left open and
the far one closed. As soon as it was put to the open-
ing of the cage, in which a fine young tiger was crouch-
ing, the unsuspecting animal quietly walked in, and
the keeper, standing outside the cage, promptly let
trap
readily
woiunngginthtointghs, and e
down the slide. The animals moved on Saturday were
al
al comparativelylykietlly, and ev
ittle troubleen,
andqn
without the necessity of using bait. As soon 'as they
were caught the traps were placed on low carts and
carried over to the new residence, where the head of
the trap was thrust through an opening in the cage,
and the astonished beast walked out to find it
self in a new home. Altogether nine lions
and tigers were moved on baturday. The al-
tered circumstances were regarded with varied
emotions, according to the different tempera-
ment of the beasts. A sentimental young pair, a
brown leopard and a clouded tiger, who have long
shared the same apartment in the old premises, were
so much affected by the new position that they had to
be coaxed into their sleeping dens, which are at the
back of what may be called the reception-room, and
up in the dark until they should have controlled

locked