The Vancouver independent. (Vancouver, W.T. [Wash.]) 1875-1910, 1879-07-10
Wild Animals.

value and number of rare and valuable
beasts reared in our own midst than any
subject of interest to the public. If
horses, COWS, colts and calves have a
market value, so have tigers, lions and
their young, for of the latter many are
born in the United States every year.
Daring the past five years no less than
seventeen little lions have seen the light
of day though only six reached years of
maturity.
The details of their nursing is pecu-
liar. The lioness is not approached UNI
til the cubs are fully three or four
months old. They are then, by means
of strategy, separated, and weaving
commenced. A quart of milk, together
with nice, homeless, juicy outlets and
titbits are given them until the seventh
month, which is the critical period of
cubs If they get over that, they stand
fair chance of living long time,
though the period of tooth-shedding,
which generally occurs at twelve months,
is attended with danger.
1t is known fact that lions attached
to travelling vans, under proper care, are
the most healthy and lively, and thrive
better than those in geological gardens.
In this country lion has been exhibit
ed thirty-iive years, and, as far as could
be judged, was Is years old when cap
tured, so that he was certainly over so
when he died. In eight out of ten
cases congestion of the lungs carries
them off,
The amount of food given lion is
less than one would suppose-thirteen
pounds of beef day, with bones adj
libitum, being fair allowance. When
fed regularly, they show little DISPOSE
ton to glut themselves, and will rarely
exceed fifteen pounds, even though a
chance be given them. The greatest
care is exercised in keeping their cages
clean, as they are constantly shedding
their hair, an accumulation of which
adhering to their food and being swal-
lowed makes them sick.
The largest number of these animals
are imported from the French province
of Algeria. There is no affection in a
lion he knews his keeper and fears
him, and will obey him, but there is no
affection between them. The value Of
lions i, varied, though good pair will
readily bring $4,000, and the demand is
constant. Rare animals are sought after
constantly by the various geological in
situations and menagerie owners, and in
many instances they haveAaid fabulous
prices for the more rare Species. Tigers
command about the same price as lions,
but are comparatively scarce and not so
popular as the lions.
Elephants always find a ready market,
two or three being imported yearly into
this country, and sell without trouble at
$4,000 to $4,000. Even "A dead ele-
plant will find ready buyer at from
800 to $500. The African specimens
are the finest, being twice the size of
their Indian brothers.
Giraifes are exceedingly rare in the
United States, in nearly every case being
able only to make the voyage from the
Cape to England or the Continent The
voyage to this country enfeeble them so
that many die during the trip or imme-
diately after landing here. The least
cold sensibly hurts them. They are
valued at from IS, 900 to $4,000 pair.
The rhinoceros and hippopotamus mar
ket is an active one, as very few have
ever reached this country alive. The
bath of the latter render his transporta-
ton almost impossible.
The South American monkey is al
ways in demand, while those OF Africa
are a drug on the market, they being
dull and lazy and easily caught. The
methods of catching them are numerous.
In South America this natives fill gourds
with rum, which the monkeys drink,
and, becoming totally unconscious under
its effects, are easily taken. In Africa
wooden vessels are used, into which they
thrust their hands and cannot remove
them. They range in value all the way
from 81 up to $500.
Africa is the great stock farm for ami
mails. The Beers, hundred or two
miles above the Cape, are constantly
catching animals, and find ready mar
ket at Cape Town for them.