The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1879-03-30
CLIPPING 4 TIGERS CLAWS
The Operation thnt AstonIshed Jim and Set
the Other Hensts Roaring.

PHILADELPHIA, March 2s.-The feat OF
clipping tho ingrowing claws of tho royal Ben
Rnl tiger Jim was accomplished to-day with
n great deal OF difllculty on account OF the
lack of constant nttrltlon on rough ground. such
as they would have had in the Jungle. Jim's
claws had lcngthened TO an unnatural size and
grown deeply into his paws. the animal OK
posing an attack OF lOckjaw. Hence the clip
ping. The we'll known animal trainer. Mr.. A.
j. Forepaugh, was retained for the operation.
and appeared early this morning Mt the car
nivorn house OF tho Zoo, accompanicd by DR..
CHAPMAN. the physician. Arthur f. Brown, the
superintendent. and four Keepers Mr.. Fore
paugh had provided himself with strong
three quarter, inch rope: Topped a one end a
Topped a thick, knOtty hickory club and pair
OF sharp wire nippers.
The loop OF the larger rope was placed on the
end Of the long pole and thrust into the cage.
AT the instant the tiger leapei into tho furthest
corner with a terrific roar which startled the
and hyenas all howled In chorus. The loop.
however was run over " Jim's" nerls and no
10 ING Sons " dhTayq ec 4s sTS SS
directed his assistants 20 secure the animal in
the front OF tho cage. Now his feet" aud the
iron scraper, and the tiger. bewildered at the
tactics OF his supposed enemies. shook his head.
roared. and for a few seconds struggled flercely
to get loose. but the loops OF the other ropes
were Slipped on the hind feet. and he was
thrown on his side and drawn up to the front OF
the cage with his hind feet sticking clear
through and the fore feot to the edge.
In this position he wis secured and safety
cordS 0ttacncu 10 the ENDS. cncn one OF the lat
ter being held by one OF the assistants. so that
rs soon AS the operation was completed all the
feet could be lo0sed az once As soon ne the feet
were thus secured the rope around the neck
was cast on So that the tigers head Was free.
One OF the Keepers WAS then stationed near the
head. so that IN case h" bit at the ropes binding
the feet or at tho operator he could thrust the
h9EA y 60 T.i enR 'Rta es B9G,P6 i fer b
the hard club was chrwed into o pulpy brush.
AN ready" said Mr.. ForepauEh, and, taking
In his right hanu large. sharp wiro clip. had
ench ingrowing claw In turn pried from the
flesh and Strengthened out aud clipped on 10 tho
required size. The right hind foot was tho
worst ono OF the claws, having grown iully an
inch into the flesh ana caused the wound to in
flame aud foster; As soon as this. with part
OF the outer shell, which had been shed
into the wound. had been removed. the
tiger appeared 10 quiet down and sub
nlitted to have the rest OF tho claws OF tue
same foot clipped without making mucn strug-
Cling Tho right front paw was also badly
In every case very quickly and successfully. As
soon rs the claws Oi each foot were clipped. the
operator rubbed burnt alum into the fcstered
wounds TO burn away the proud fesh, and then
poured over tho wounds basam OF tr - heal
the same.
paugh stepping back. cautioned mis- assistants
to bo ready 10 pull the safety cords ut the word
So the animal freed from MI the cords ut once
sgrang To his legs like a ilAan and jumped 10
the rear OF the cage. where he first licked mis-
bloody chaps and. squattin sOOthingly licked
still in his possession. he began pacing his cage
showing evident signs Of having experienced
great relief from the operations performed on
him. The whole operation occupied only twenty
minutes. ana WAS very satisfactory To all par.
ties. In u lew days the paws Will be examined
IN N.NV. "A H.