The Lake Charles echo. [volume] (Lake Charles, Parish of Calcasieu, La.) 1876-1898, 1879-07-05
WILD ANIMALS.
some Facts Concerning Their Ha0as
Hmd Value.
New York Witness

/
value and number of rare and valuabi
beasts reared in our own midst than an,
| subject of interest to the public. ]
horses, COWS, colts and calves have
market value, SO have tigers, lions an'
their young, for of the latter many ar
born in the United States every year.
During the past five years no less thai
seventeen little lions have seen the Ugh
of day, though only six reached tn
years of maturity.
The details of their nursing are pecu
liar. The lioness is not approached unit
the cubs are fully three or four month";
old. They are then, by means of strategy
separated, and weaving commenced. a
quart of milk, together with nice, bone
less, Juicy outlets and tidbits are give1
them daily until the seventh month
which is the critical period of cubs. 1
they get over that, they stand fail
chance of living long time, though the
period of tooth-shedding, which gene-i
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, out there is no affec-
ton between them. The value OF lions
is varied, though good pair will readily
bring Sd, ZOO, 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 30 popular as
the lions.
Elephants always find q ready market,
two or three being imported yearly into
this country, and sell without trouble at
Sc, 600 to $4,000. Even dead elephant
will find ready buyer at from 500 to
$500. The African specimens are the
finest, being twice the size of their
Indian brothers.
1t 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 lar as could
be judged, was fifteen years old when
so that he certainly was over
fifty when he died. In eight out of ten
cases congestion of the lungs carried
them of.
The amount of food given lion is
less than one would suppose, thirteen
pounds of beef a day, with bones aid
libitum, being a fair allowance. When
fed regularly they show little disposition
to glut themselves, and will rarely ex-
coed fifteen pounds, though chance be
given them. The greatest of care is ex-
ercised in keeping their cages clean, as
they are constantly shedding their hair,
an accumulation of which adhering to
their food, and, being swallowed, makes
them sick.
Giraffes are exceedingly care in the
United States, in nearly every case being
able only to make the voyage from the
cape to England OF the continent. The
voyage to this country enfeebles them
so that they die during the trip or i'm
mediately alter landing here. Theleast
cold sensibly hurts them. They are
dainty feeders and much given to COM
Stunning cabbages. They are valued at
from $4,000 to $1O,0 a pair.
The rhinoceros and hippopotamus
market is always an active one, as very
few have ever reached this country alive.
The bath of the latter renders his trans.
portation almost impossible.
The South American monkey ia always
in demand, while those of AFRICA are Q
drugon the market, they being dull and
lazy and easily caught. The methods o
catching them are numerous. In South
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 they
thrust their hands and can not removs
them. They range in value all the way
from 81 up to $500.
africa Is the greatest stock farm fol
animals. The Beers, q hundred or two