The Kenosha telegraph. [volume] (Kenosha, Wis.) 1860-1888, 1879-04-17
CLIPPING A TIGERS CLAWS.
Adam j. Forepaugh Operates On One of
the Royal Bengals at the Zoo
from the PHILADELPHIA Timesl

from the Philadelphia Times.l
" Jim" is the name of one of the royal
Bengal tigers in the Geological Garden.
He had been troubled for some time
with in growing claws, which have be-
come SO painful that it was with great
difficulty the tiger promenaded up and
down his cage. Adam J. Forepaugh.
the widely-known animal tanner, visited
the Zoo not long ago, and, after scruti-
nizing the tiger, told Superintendent
Brown that if "Jim's" claws were not
soon cut he would die of lock-iaw,
Mr.. Brown named last Friday as the
time for the operation. Accordingly Mr..
Forepaugh and his attendants were
present on that morning, ready to clip
the tigers claws. "Jim" is a powerful
and active animal, and Mr.. Forepaugh's
job was not an easy one. Upon the
rail fronting the cage five stout manila
ropes were arranged, each provided with
safety-ring and slip-knot. The tiger
lay all the time with his head close to
the bars. Mr.. Forepaugh touched him
with the end of long pole. "Jim'" got
up, looked around in surprise at the
spectators, and hobbled over to the far
corner. Mr.. Forepaugh coaxed the AMI
NAL back to the bars, and tried to throw
a loop of large rope over his head.
"Jim" drew away, but Mr. Forepaugh
succeeded in running the loop over the
animals neck and bringing him close to
the bars. Soon the tigers feet were in
the loops, tied fast. Mr.. Forepaugh en-
tered the cage and tied the unsecured
paws. "Jim" was thrown on his side
and brought to the front of the cage,
and the rope around the neck was re-
moved. A man was stationed near the
head with stout stick of oak, which he
put in the tigers mouth every time he
raised himself and tried to, bite his
fastenings. Then the cutting operation
began. Mr.. Forepaugh's implements
We're pair of wire nippers with fine
edge. He seized the paw of the rear
right foot, the worst of the four. Press
ing out each claw, he cut the ends off.
After one claw had been cut Mr.. Fore
paugh took penknife and drew from
the wound another claw, which had
grown in and been she'd The claws on
the other hind paw were next cut in the
same manner. Burnt alum was now
rubbed into the wounds and balsam of
fir poured in. While operating on the
fore feet Mr.. Forepaugh was forced to
place his hand within reach of the
tigers teeth. Here the man with the
stick was given some work "Jim"
started up and the stick was showed into
his mouth. When all was over the at
PENDANTS simultaneously pulled on the
safety ropes and the tiger sprung to his
feet, free. His relief seemed immedi-
ate, and he began to lick his paws, one
after another. The clipping took twenty
minutes. All the while the tiger roared
his loudest. Mr.. Forepaugh said there
was no doubt the claws will grow in
again. and will have to be clipped next
time before they have grown so much.
"Jim" is the tiger that about the open
ing of the Centennial killed his mate.
He seized her tail and held on tight
She tried to free herself and put her
hind legs against the bars and pulled
with all her strength. Her leg slipped,
and Jim" relinquished his hold on the
tail and caught her leg, which he
crunched between his teeth. The mate
soon after died.