St. Landry democrat., 1879-07-12
WILD ANIMALS
Seme Facts Concerning Their Habits
and Value.
New York Witness.

| New York Witness.
Probably less is known of the extent,
value and number Of rare and valuable
beasts reared in our own midst than any
subject of interest to the public. II
horses, cows, colts and calves have a
market value, 80 have tigers, lions and
their young, for OF the latter many are
born in the United States every year.
During the past FIVE years no less than
seventeen little lions have seen the light
of day, though only six reached the
years of maturity.
The details of their nursing are pecu'
liar. The lioness is not approached until
the cubs are fully three or four months
old. They are then, by mesps of strategy,
separated, and weaving commenced. A
quart of milk, together with nice, .bone>
less, Juicy outlets and tidbits are given
them daily until the seventh month,
which is the critical period of cubs. l
they get over that, they stand fair
chance of living long time, though the
period of tooth-shedding, which gene-r
ally occurs at twelve months, is attended
with danger.
The largest number of these animals
are imported from the French province
of Algeria. There is no affection in the
lion; he knows his keeper and fears him,
and will obey him, but there is no afec-
tion between them. The value OF lions
is varied, though good pair will readily
bring S. 900, and the demand is constant.
Rare animals are sought after constantly
by the various geological institutions
and menagerie owners, in many instances
they having paid fabulous prices for the
more rare species. Tigers command about
the same price as lions, but are COM
paratively scarce and not so popular as
the lions.
Elephants always find ready market,
two or three being imported yearly into
this country, and sell without trouble at
Sc 900 to 5000. Even dead elephant
will find ready buyer at from 800 to
$500. The African specimens are the
finest, being twice the size of their
Indian brothers.
It is known fact that lions attached
to traveling-vans, under proper care, are
the most healthy and lively, and thrive
better than those in geological gardens.
In this country lion has been exhib-
tied thirty-fve years, and, as far as could
be judged, was fifteen years old when
captured 90 that he certainly was over
fifty when he died. In eight out of ten
cases congestion of the lungs carried
them off.
The amount of food given a lion is
less than one would suppose, thirteen
pounds of beef day, with bones ad
libitum. being fair allowance. When
fed regularly they show little disposition
to glut themselves, and will rarely ex-
ceed fifteen pounds, though chance be
given them. The greatest of care is ex-
ercised in keeping their cages clesn, as
thev are constantly shedding their hair
an accumulation of which adhering to
their food, and, being swallowed, makes
them sick.
Girsffes are exceedingly rare in the
United States, in nearly every case being
able only to make the voyage from the
cape to England o, the continent. The
voyage to this country enteebles them
90 that they die during the trip or i'm
mediately after landing here. The least
cold sensibly hurts them. They are
dainty feeders and much given to cons
suming cabbages. They are valued at
from $s 900 to $4,000 pair.
The rhinoceros and hippopotamuf
market is always an active one, IS very
few have ever reached this country alive
The bath of the latter renders his trans
portation almost impossible.
The South American monkey is always
in demand, while those OF Africa are
drug on the market, they being dull anc
lazy and easily caught. The methods o
catching them are numerous. In soptt
America the natives fill gourds with
; rum, which the monkeys drink, and, be
coming totally unconscious under it
, effects, are easily taken. In Africa
wooden vessels are used, into which the!
, thrust their hands and can not remov
them. They range in value all the wa!
from 81 up to $500.
> Africa is the greatest stock farm TO
, animals. The Beers, hundred or tw
4 miles above the cape, are constantl
, catching animals, and find a ready mai
. ket in Cape Town for them.
Stories of animals and animal-catche1
are numerous and marvellous, but man
: of them are 80 tainted with exaggers
: tion that it is asking too much OF com
/ mon sense readers to wade throug
:, them.